Agenda item

The Council considered the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report, which highlighted the progress of Doncaster Council’s Overview and Scrutiny function during 2020/21.  The report also provided a summary of the work undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (OSMC) and its four Standing Panels, and highlighted some of the key achievements and the impacts that Overview and Scrutiny had made over the past year, and identified priorities for 2021/22.

In presenting the report, the Vice-Chair of the OSMC, Councillor John Healy, initially thanked Members, the Executive, Officers, Partners, Stakeholders, young advisers and the public, who had taken the time to participate and contribute to Overview and Scrutiny during the last Municipal Year.

It was reported that the period covered by the Annual Report was 1st April, 2020 to 31st March, 2021 and reflected a time when Members lives and those of local residents and communities, had been so profoundly affected by the COVID pandemic.

Councillor Healy pointed out that the report demonstrated how adaptable Overview and Scrutiny had been in responding to new working arrangements, and that whilst Councils throughout the country paused their meeting arrangements for some considerable time, Doncaster Council was quick to put measures in place that enabled Overview and Scrutiny to continue to operate safely, even during periods of lockdown.

It was noted that initially, regular online briefing meetings were held with Officers to ensure that Members were kept informed of how the Council was working with its partners to address important issues arising from the pandemic, such as the impact on the delivery of front line services, mental health, social isolation, home schooling and impacts on the economy.  As the Council’s systems matured, Overview and Scrutiny was once again able to invite the public and partners, and return to formal meetings albeit these continued to be held remotely.

Members were informed that the report provided a breakdown of issues considered by OSMC and each of the Panels, and as expected, Overview and Scrutiny’s work was very focussed on how the Pandemic was impacting on local communities.  Activities and achievements that were important to Overview and Scrutiny, were also highlighted in the report including how Scrutiny had engaged with the public and partners, held decision makers to account, contributed to policy development and provided an opportunity for Members to consider issues they felt were important to residents of the Borough.  As well as reflecting on 2020/21, the report set out key areas of work to be undertaken by OSMC and each of the Panels during 2021/22, and these issues would be regularly reviewed by OSMC during the course of the year.

In concluding his presentation, Councillor Healy conveyed his thanks once again to everyone who had contributed to the Overview and Scrutiny process last year, and he hoped that although the Council faced more uncertainty moving forward, Overview and Scrutiny could continue to contribute to effective decision making and improved service delivery, to benefit the residents of the Borough.

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2020/21, be noted.