Agenda and minutes

To record apologies for absence and the attendance of substitute members. 

Apologies received from Cllr Jerry Avery.

To note the Scrutiny Committee minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2021. 

The minutes of the meeting on 25 November 2021 were agreed as a correct record. The chair will sign them as such,

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.  

None.

To receive notification of any matters which the chair determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent, and to receive any announcements from the chair. 

None.

To review the attached scrutiny work schedule. Please note, although the dates are confirmed, the items under consideration are subject to being withdrawn, added to or rearranged without further notice.

Committee noted the work programme.

To receive any questions or statements from members of the public that have registered to speak. 

Cllr Simon Howell would speak at the confidential session.

To consider whether to exclude members of the press and public from the meeting for the following item of business under Part 1 of Schedule 12A Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 and as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 on the grounds that:

(i)        it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1-7 Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and

(ii)       the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. 

Committee agreed to exclude the public to consider the next item on the agenda.

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 The details of the ICMD are not for publication by virtue of paragraph(s) 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.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.