Agenda and minutes

Councillors P Bright and M Pimm

None.

a)    Officer presentation

b)    Committee questioning and discussion

c)     Formation of comments and recommendations

Finance

The Strategic Director – Corporate and Transformation introduced the report, and the Head of Finance gave an overview of the report.

Members questioned the Officers and Cabinet Member on the content of the report – to access a full recording of the debate and comments made please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel. Democratic meetings / Cyfarfodydd democrataidd.

Comments and Recommendations:

• The Committee praised the service area for sustaining face-to-face interactions, as well the building of the Internal Audit resource.

• The Committee requested the breakdown of the starters and leavers data, along with additional information to better understand the trends and reasons behind employee turnover.

People Policy and Transformation

The Leader of the Council introduced the report. The Cabinet Members then each introduced their involvement in the service area. The Head of People Policy and Transformation gave an overview of the report.

Members questioned the Officers and Cabinet Member on the content of the report – to access a full recording of the debate and comments made please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel. Democratic meetings / Cyfarfodydd democrataidd.

Comments and Recommendations

• The Committee praised the success of the current staff check-ins. The Committee recommended raising the target for the performance measure - “Percentage of managers undertaking regular check ins” in the upcoming year.

• The Committee recommended the development of a communication strategy for the Mayor, including the potential use of additional social media platforms.

• The Committee recommended reviewing and enhancing the presentation of complaints data to more clearly distinguish between complaints received, upheld, and resolved. They also recommended working with the Intelligence Team to embed some figures into the wider performance framework.

• The Committee recommended the improvement of the search engine optimisation for the Newport Council website to ensure key services such as Planning and Licensing are easily searchable.

• The Committee recommended updates on the search facilities and Assets Register be included in the End of Year Report.

• The Committee noted that the new Sexual Harassment requirements required the Council to complete a risk assessment.

Law and Standards

The Head of Law and Standards gave an overview of the report.

Members questioned the Officers and Cabinet Member on the content of the report – to access a full recording of the debate and comments made please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel. Democratic meetings / Cyfarfodydd democrataidd.

Comments and Recommendations

• The Committee praised the service area for successfully completing the new Coroner's Court project on time and within budget.

• The Committee recommended splitting Action 5 into two separate actions for clarity, as it is unclear what the 20% completion rate relates to (page 89 of the agenda).

• The Committee requested for a breakdown of the £305,000 overspend.

a) Actions Arising (Appendix 1)

b) Forward Work Programme Update (Appendix 2)

c) Outcomes Monitoring (Appendix 3

Invitee:

- Neil Barnett - Scrutiny Adviser

a) Actions Arising

The Committee were advised of Actions Arising.

b) Draft Annual Forward Work Programme Update

The Committee were advised of next meeting:

Monday 9^th December 2024 at 2pm

Service Area Mid-Year Reviews 24/25 for Place directorate service areas

The Scrutiny Adviser advised the Committee that dates to discuss the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan and the Highways Assets Management Plan should be organised shortly, and the Committee will be notified. The Committee were then advised that early next year, Scrutiny Advisers will be meeting with Heads of Service to discuss items to be added to the Draft Annual Forward Work Programme 2025-26. Once confirmed, the draft will be presented to the Committee for further discussion to see what topics, included the Retention and Recruitment Update, can be added.

c) Outcomes Monitoring

The Committee were advised of the up-to-date outcomes.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 30^th September 2024 were accepted as a true and accurate record.