Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ezeifedi, Parker and G Saffery. Councillors Dhindsa and Stanton were absent without apologies.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2021 to be submitted and signed.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2021 were submitted and signed. 

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

·        Finance Scrutiny Committee 10 January 2022

·        Scrutiny task group – Electric Vehicles

It was noted that the Financial Scrutiny Committee had met on 10 January 2022; minutes were available on the council’s website.

The Electric Vehicles Task Group had met twice and the review work had been completed. The report was being drafted and would go to the next meeting of Overview and Scrutiny on 24 February 2022.

To receive an update on the progress of recommendations made by the Responding to the impacts of Covid 19 on Watford’s BAME communities and street name policy review task group.

A report updating the committee on recommendations made by the task group was introduced. It was noted that:

·       The task group made a number of recommendations which were agreed by Cabinet on 1 March 2021.

·       Feedback on progress of recommendations was in the agenda pack.

The Chair asked committee for any questions or comments. In response to a question from Councillor Hannon on the progress of the development of a Corporate Equality Policy, the Executive Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications informed the committee that the outline draft policy and framework had been shared with the Community Forum in January and would be reviewed in March. It would take two or three months after that for the piece of work to be finalised as there was a need for engagement with the community and consultation for finalisation. It was hoped that the policy would be finalised before the summer break.

RESOLVED –

that the recommendations arising from the task group be agreed.

To receive the final report of the Sustainable Transport Strategy Task Group.

The Chair introduced the report to the committee. It was noted that:

·       The strategy was a significant document for Watford for the next 20 years.

·       The task group was an opportunity for members to feed into development of strategy.

·       Key areas for recommendations were:

o   Prioritising addressing the number of short journeys taken by car.

o   Maintaining the focus on partnership with Hertfordshire County Council and surrounding districts and looking to expand schemes such as the bike share scheme beyond the borough boundaries.

o   Working with businesses and other partners to improve access to areas in Watford which were more difficult without a car.

o   The need for ongoing engagement and listening to residents to enable them to travel more sustainably.

·       If approved, the report would to Cabinet on 28 February

The Chair invited questions from the committee. Councillor Osborn asked whether it was possible to note it was highly important to address the pressing need for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Sustainable Transport Strategy Task Group Final Report as well in the Electric Vehicles Task Group Report. The Democratic Services Officer agreed to refer the question to the Senior Democratic Services Officer for consideration.

Councillor Feldman suggested that there should be a note presented to Cabinet explaining that the Electric Vehicle Task Group report would be published and should be taken into consideration as well.

Councillors Feldman and Osborn and the Chair commended the team for the work done on the task group.

RESOLVED –

                   that the recommendations be agreed with a note to present to Cabinet.

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 was invited to review the current Executive

Decision Progress Report for 2021-22 and consider whether any

further information was required.

RESOLVED –

   that the 2021/22 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.

The council’s representative on the Health Scrutiny Committee,

Councillor Grimston, advised that the last meeting had been cancelled.

RESOLVED –

that the update be noted.

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

Members were invited to review Overview and Scrutiny

Committee’s work programme for 2021/22 and suggest any

additional items for review. 

RESOLVED –

that the 2021/22 work programme be noted.

·             Thursday 3 February (call-in only)

·             Thursday 24 February

The meeting on 3 February was cancelled due to no call-ins. The next meeting would be on 24 February.

RESOLVED –

that the meeting dates be updated.