|
Minutes of a meeting of the Scrutiny Committee |
|
held on Monday, 20 December 2021at 6.00 pm
this was a virtual meeting
|
The public session was open to the public and the press |
The meeting was live streamed.
The recording can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3qwFg8Lf7w
|
Present: |
|
Councillors: Nathan Boyd (Chair), Ron Batstone, Hayleigh Gascoigne, David Grant, Max Thompson, Eric de la Harpe, Ben Mabbett and Patrick O'Leary |
|
Officers: Patrick Arran, Karen Lister, Suzanne Malcolm, Candida Mckelvey
Guests: Cabinet member Cllr Andrew Crawford and Cllr Simon Howell
|
1. Apologies for absence
Apologies received from Cllr Jerry Avery.
2.
1.Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 25 November 2021 were agreed as a correct record. The chair will sign them as such.
3.
1.Declarations of interest
None.
4.
1.Urgent business and chair's announcements
None.
5.
1.Work schedule and dates for Vale scrutiny meetings
Committee noted the work programme.
6.
1.Public participation
Cllr Simon Howell would speak at the confidential session.
7.
1.Exclusion of the public
Committee agreed to exclude the public to consider the next item on the agenda.
8.
1.Public minutes of Abbey House ICMD call in
Committee considered a confidential ICMD regarding Abbey House, Abingdon. The details of the ICMD are not for publication by virtue of paragraph(s) 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. The Committee considered whether to exclude the public and press applying the public interest test and resolved that the balance was in favour of holding the meeting in private.
The Cabinet member responsible answered questions from the committee. The committee felt assured by the Cabinet member’s answers. Future decisions regarding Abbey House will need Cabinet decision, and the committee had noted the comprehensive content and transparency of the ICMD, which reflected lessons learned since the disposal of Old Abbey House.
In accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules in the council’s Constitution, the Scrutiny Committee had the following options:
1. The committee may refer the decision back to the decision-maker: Cabinet member for finance and corporate services. The committee must define the nature of its concerns.
2. The committee may accept the decision as made and advise the decision-maker accordingly.
On scrutinising the ICMD and the decision maker, the chair suggested that the decision should be accepted, option two. Committee voted in favour of this.
Resolved:That the committee supported the decision of the Cabinet member for finance and corporate assets and would not refer the decision back to the Cabinet member.