Agenda

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of appointment of substitute Members (if any).

To record any interests on agenda matters.

To receive any questions from members of the public and replies thereto.

Note:   A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

To consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 15 December 2025.

To receive any announcements that the Chairman of Scrutiny Committee may wish to make.

To consider any decisions made by the Cabinet at its last meeting that have been called-in.

To receive a report from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) presenting to the Scrutiny Committee the work performed so far in formulating the 2026/27 draft budget and providing the opportunity to Members to consider the position proposed so far and make any relevant observations/recommendations back to Cabinet at its meeting on the 10 February 2026.

To receive a report from the Director of Legal, People & Governance (Monitoring Officer) updating Members on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) following receipt of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) Audit and in accordance with IPCO’s recommendation that the Policy is presented to Members annually. 

To receive a report from the Chief Executive providing members of the committee with an update on the latest situation with regards to local government reorganisation (LGR) and to consider how the committee might best scrutinise and add value to the next phases of LGR.

To review the existing Work Plan and consider items for the committee’s future consideration, taking account of:

a)    Any items within the Forward Plan for discussion at the next meeting;

b)    Suggestions of other work for the committee including any topic suggestion forms which have been received since the last meeting.