The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Friday 17 April 2026 to discuss feedback on the 2026 budget scrutiny process and to review the scrutiny work programme for 2026-27. The committee also considered two new items for its work programme: secondary school transfers and highways performance.

Budget Scrutiny Process Feedback

The committee received feedback on the 2026 budget scrutiny process, which was largely positive. Participants found the one-hour sessions for each portfolio to be beneficial, allowing for fuller discussion. However, some felt that the time was still too short and constrained debate. There was a general consensus that confirming membership and chairing arrangements earlier in the process would improve clarity and engagement. The use of virtual meetings was widely accepted, with many finding them more efficient than in-person sessions. Key lines of inquiry were generally welcomed for keeping sessions focused, though some suggested more time to develop these in advance. The sequencing of Cabinet Panel meetings before evidence gathering sessions received mixed feedback, with some finding it helpful and others noting repetition. The work of Democratic Services staff and graduate trainee Scrutiny Support Officers was praised.

Scrutiny Work Programme 2026-27

The committee reviewed its work programme for 2026-27. Two new items were proposed for inclusion:

1. Secondary School Transfers: A resident, Lynsey Dacey, submitted a proposal highlighting concerns about the clarity, fairness, and consistency of Hertfordshire County Council's secondary transfer admissions process, particularly in areas with mixed two-tier and three-tier systems. Specific issues raised included a lack of clear information about middle school allocations, inconsistent presentation of this information, and the application of the nearest suitable school criterion. The proposal also noted a perceived geographic disadvantage for pupils in Standon and surrounding areas. The committee agreed that this matter would be better handled by the Education, SEND and Inclusion Cabinet Panel in the first instance.

2. Highways Performance: Councillor Matt Cowley submitted a proposal to scrutinise the performance of the highways department, citing concerns about cancelled meetings, potholes, the quality of repairs, funding cuts, and the impact of utility company works. Following extensive debate, the committee agreed to a scrutiny review focused on utility companies and their impact on the network. This review will involve inviting utility companies and network management to give evidence. The committee also agreed that a separate, internal scrutiny of Hertfordshire County Council's own highways performance would be beneficial, with the scope to be clearly defined and agreed by the committee. The process for cancelling cabinet panel meetings was also highlighted as an area for review, with a suggestion that this be referred to the Constitution Review Group.

Other Discussions

• Timetable and Structure: Several councillors raised points about the timing of meetings, the structure of the budget scrutiny process, and the need for clearer timetabling and potentially longer sessions for scrutiny reviews.
• Officer Support: The support provided by officers, particularly Tim Parlow, Head of Scrutiny, was acknowledged and appreciated.
• Training: There was a general agreement on the need for ongoing training and clear expectations for both councillors and officers involved in the scrutiny process.
• Cabinet Panel Cancellations: A significant amount of discussion centred on the cancellation of Highways Cabinet Panel meetings due to a lack of business. Councillors expressed frustration that this prevented them from raising important issues and questioned the process by which these cancellations were made.

The committee agreed to approve the scrutiny work programme for 2026-27 with the agreed amendments and additions. The next Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting was scheduled for 26 June 2026.