Agenda item

(1)       Corporate Services and Economic Growth OSC           (see pages 61-82)

(2)       Family and Children’s Services OSC                             (see pages 83-90)

(3)       Communities and Place OSC                                           (see pages 91-96)

(4)       Health and Wellbeing OSC                                               (see pages 97-110)

(5)       Health and Wellbeing Board                                             (see pages 111-124)

(6)       Audit Committee                                                                  (see pages 125-138)

(7)       Food Poverty Working Group                                            (see pages 139-146)

(1)      Corporate Services and Economic Growth OSC

Councillors Dale, Dungworth and Grimshaw expressed concern about behaviour of the Chair and other members towards the Chief Executive at the meeting, and that this behaviour had begun at the pre- meeting. Members appealed to the Business Chair to get control of the situation as he had mentioned previously that he would.

Councillor Homer commented that some of the remarks made were hearsay and speculation and this did not help the Council’s reputation. Any concerns needed to be raised through the proper procedures.

Councillor Beynon commented that he had been very concerned about the behaviour towards the Chair at the meeting, and he would be taking further action on it. Opposition members also needed to observe respect.

Councillor Dickinson commented that this was not the first time there had been issues in this Committee. The footage was on Youtube for all to see so was not speculation. He suggested that a line be drawn under matters and a fresh start made rather than clogging up the formal procedures.

Councillor Webb commented that he had watched the footage and had been appalled. These were Standards Committee issues.

Councillor Bawn advised members that these matters were now subject to formal complaint made by him and would be investigated. The behaviour in the meeting by members had not been acceptable, and had been perpetrated by both sexes.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Corporate Services and Economic Growth OSC be received.

(2)      Family and Children’s Services OSC  

These were presented by Councillor Swinburn.

Councillor Dickinson suggested that the staggered reopening of schools needed to be looked at urgently with officers in terms of the impact on the transport plan.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Family and Children’s Services OSC be received.

(3)      Communities and Place OSC

These were presented by Councillor Reid.

With regard to Minute No 73.1 (Monitoring Arrangements for Active Northumberland) Councillor Dunn asked whether there had been any discussions about the period beyond 2022 and when councillors could expect to receive details of the recovery plan.

Councillor Watson replied that officers and members were looking now at how best to manage the reopening. Some centres were being used as testing stations, but a plan should be available in the next couple of weeks.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Communities and Place OSC be received.

(4)      Health and Wellbeing OSC

These were presented by Councillor Beynon.

Councillor Simpson commended the work being done on the vaccination programme.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing OSC be received.

(5)      Health and Wellbeing Board

These were presented by Councillor Dodd, who drew members’ attention to the mobile testing units across the County.

Councillor Dickinson commented that the third sector testing arrangements were working really well, and the number of volunteers working on the testing programme was excellent.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board be received.

(6)      Audit Committee   

These were presented by Councillor Hill, who asked members to look particularly at the Advance reports detailed at pg 134 onwards which were of wider importance.

Councillor Dickinson sought confirmation that the governance and legal arrangements were adopted by Cabinet and implemented immediately. Councillor Hill replied that the recommendations had gone to Cabinet but was unsure whether she could report the outcome given that the matter was confidential. The Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that if they had been considered in private then they should not be discussed.

With regard to Minute No.83 (Minutes 16 December 2020), Councillor Oliver commented that he had made a declaration at that meeting and asked the Chair for details of who the other members were who had emailed the Chair making declarations, and whether she was one of them.

Councillor Hill responded that Councillor Oliver had made a declaration because of ongoing complaints quite correctly. She had not made a declaration because she had not made a complaint but was aware that others had. There were no others present at the meeting who had fitted that category. Councillor Oliver replied that this was not his recollection but would pick it up with Councillor Hill after the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Audit Committee be received.

(7)      Food Poverty Working Group

These were presented by Councillor Pattison.

Councillor Daley very much welcomed this work and felt there was more to be done. Ensuring people had food was only one part of a wider strategic plan.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Food Poverty Working Group be received.