Recommendations and updates from other committees to Cabinet 30 September 2022

Scrutiny Committee

The committee met on 8 August to discuss:

· an update on Didcot Garden Town.  The committee discussed the updated and refined delivery plan, welcomed this and looks forward to further updates.  However, the committee made no recommendations to Cabinet. 

· An update on traffic diversions from the A34.  No formal recommendations were made to Cabinet but the committee’s chair agreed to flag questions and comments for the Leader’s attention:

• Officers were hoping to receive further information from National Highways soon but it was out of the district council’s hands.  Officers have had been persevering.  County Council had been helpful also.
• Members had expressed disappointment in the response given.  A cost/benefit analysis was needed for contraflows, and the response from National Highways that contraflows cost too much at £200,000, was not considered to be justified, due to the lack of analysis of the overall financial setting and benefits.  The council should express concern at the lack of response.
• Members asked if anything could be done to mitigate diversions at district level, such as temporary lower speed limits.  
• Residents had more concerns about disruptive scheduled works, especially over diversions affecting accident and emergency services responses.  

The Scrutiny Committee met again on 22 September to discuss:

· the Financial Outturn report for 2021/22 and noted the report but made no recommendations to Cabinet

Joint Audit and Governance Committee

The committee had met on 27 September to discuss:

· the external auditor’s annual audit letter 2021/22, which was noted

· Internal Audit reports, which were noted

· the Treasury Outturn report for 2021/22.  Cabinet is recommended to note that the committee it is satisfied that the treasury activities in 202/22 have been carried out in accordance with the council’s treasury management strategy and policy

Democratic Services

democratic.services@southandvale.gov.uk

30 September 2022