Issue - meetings

The Panel received an update report presented by the Head of Overview and Scrutiny as follows:

Select Committees

The Panel noted the penultimate round meetings were underway.   Those Committees with budget proposals to consider had considered them, or were in the process to do so.  It was stated that the Public Accounts Select Committee would be meeting on Thursday, 27 January 2022 to consider the budget in the round, and make a collective scrutiny referral to Mayor and Cabinet. 

The Panel was further advised that the Committees had been appointing Climate Change champions to ensure that work programmes take into account climate emergency considerations

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The Panel noted that the next meeting would take place on 22 February, and the focus would be on the Future Lewisham priority “An Economically Sound Future”.

Also noted was that the Chief Executive of the New Economics Foundation would address Members on the sustainable local economic growth.  It was stated that the Committee would also receive information form officers on the local context and activity relating to supporting residents into work, and attracting and supporting businesses.

Task and Finish Groups

The Panel was pleased to note that the work of all the groups were progressing well.  It was noted that the groups would meet in February to agree their final reports and recommendations.  The full Overview and Scrutiny Committee would consider the Mayor and Cabinet response to any recommendations made by those groups.

In response to a question from Councillor Joan Millbank, the Head of Overview and Scrutiny advised the Panel that once the current Task and Finish Groups had concluded, steps would be taken to learn from the exercise about what had gone well and what did not, with a view to improve scrutiny work practice in the next municipal year.  The Chair commented that there would be a separate political discussion amongst Members as well.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.