There was a change of membership for this meeting: Councillor Mills replaced Councillor Dhindsa, Councillor Crout replaced Councillor Stiff. 

The Chair welcomed Councillor Hall, Chair of Scrutiny at Broxbourne Borough Council, who had come to observe scrutiny at Watford Borough Council.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2020 to be submitted and signed.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2020 were submitted and signed

The following scrutiny committees and task groups have met since the last meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

·      Health Service for the Deaf Task Group on 25 February 2020

The scrutiny committee noted that the Health Services for the Deaf Task Group had met on 25 February 2020.  The final report of the task group would be considered by Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its next meeting on 19 March 2020.

To consider any executive decisions which have been called in by the requisite number of councillors.

It was noted that no executive decisions had been called in.

Report of the Watford 2020 Programme Manager

The scrutiny committee received the report of the Watford 2020 Programme Manager updating members on developments since a report was last brought to Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 24 October 2019. 

Introducing the report, the Group Head of Transformation explained that Watford 2020 was entering its final period with completion due at the end of March 2020.  A small number of projects would be completed in early 2020/21.  However, this would not impact on the delivery of the expected £1m savings during 2020/21.  Where additional costs were incurred, due to the extension of the programme timescales, the Group Head of Transformation advised that these would be limited and could be managed within budgets.

There followed a short discussion about the new Firmstep ‘Contact My Councillor’ form, which was due to go live on 2 March 2020.  In response to a query, it was confirmed that the form included the facility for photographs and documentation to be uploaded in support of any enquires.  Member guidance was being provided and this would be available on the council’s intranet. 

In response to a question about business continuity should officers be required to work from home, for example as a consequence of the current coronavirus, the Group Head of Transformation advised that all staff, subject to specific job requirements, could work remotely following the successful roll out of personal IT kit and unified communications.

Scrutiny members welcomed the transformation programme which had brought significant changes to the workings and processes of the council.  Responding to a query about the impact on officers, the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Customer Services, advised that staff resilience had been notable and sickness absence levels remained low.  These levels continued to be monitored carefully.

The scrutiny committee agreed that it would be useful to review the final closure reports for the Watford 2020 Programme.  It was noted that the Watford 2020 Programme Manager and Group Head of Transformation would be returning to Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 18 June 2020.

RESOLVED –

that the report be noted.

Action: Group Head of Transformation

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review the latest edition of the Executive Decision Progress Report and consider whether any further information is required.

The scrutiny committee received the 2019/20 Executive Decision Progress Report.  It was noted that since publication, consideration of two reports by Cabinet, regarding Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding, would now take place in June 2020.

RESOLVED –

that the 2019/20 Executive Decision Progress report be noted.

Councillor Grimston, the Council’s appointed representative to the County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee to provide an update.

Councillor Grimston advised that the next meeting of Hertfordshire County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee would take place on Wednesday 4 March.  An update on developments would be provided to Overview and Scrutiny Committee members at the next meeting.

To review the Health & Wellbeing Forum’s response to the Mental Health Task Group’s recommendations

It was noted that an update to the Executive response had been circulated with the committee papers.  This outlined progress since the Health and Wellbeing Forum (H&WBF) had reviewed the task group’s recommendations on 22 January 2020. 

Councillor Saffery, who had chaired the Mental Health Task Group, reiterated the commitment of the H&WBF, officers and the Mayor to progress the mental health agenda.  The issue was due to be considered again by the H&WBF at its next meeting on 9 July 2020.  This would include agreeing a new role profile for the council’s Mental Health Champion to maintain focus and direction. 

The Chair advised that, whilst mental health would remain on the H&WBF’s agenda, there was scope for any strategic issues to be returned to Overview and Scrutiny in the future.

Scrutiny members noted that Watford’s MP Dean Russell was also seeking to promote mental health awareness.  Councillor Martins, the council’s Mental Health Champion, advised that he had arranged to meet with Mr Russell to discuss the MP’s plans to launch a mental health first aid programme in Watford.

The scrutiny committee is asked to review the current version of the work programme and consider any additional areas councillors wish to scrutinise.

The scrutiny committee received the updated draft of its work programme incorporating the suggestions from the previous meeting.  With a view to the 2020/21 work programme, members were asked to refer any proposals for future scrutiny review to the Senior Democratic Services Officer.

·      Thursday 19 March

•           19 March 2020

The Chair to move: that, under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during consideration of the item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Section 100(1) of the Act for the reasons stated below in terms of Schedule 12A.

RESOLVED –

that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business as it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of proceedings, that if members of the public were present during consideration of the item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Section 100(1) Schedule 12A of the Act for the reasons stated in the report.

This report is restricted in accordance with paragraph 3, Part 1, Schedule 12A, as it covers the business affairs of the council and another organisation.

The scrutiny committee received the report of the Group Head of Transformation updating the committee on events surrounding the closure of Watford Colosseum in November and December 2019.  The Group Head of Transformation introduced the report and responded to members’ questions.

RESOLVED –

that the report be noted.

Action: Group Head of Transformation