Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Sachin Mathur. The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Recreation, Councillor Juliet Barker Smith, has also submitted apologies.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and / or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests, and any Party Whip.

There were no declarations of interest nor of party whip.

The minutes of the meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 November 2025 will be considered at this meeting.

The minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 24^th November 2025 were submitted for Members’ consideration.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24^th November 2025 be approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chair.

To invite members of the public who have registered in advance of the meeting to speak to the Committee.

There were no public speakers registered to speak at this meeting.

This report will follow in a supplementary papers pack after it has been published for the meeting of Executive Committee (due for publication on Monday 5 January).

The Climate Change Manager presented the Council’s Biodiversity Duty Report, required under the Environment Act 2021. The report covered activities up to 1^st January 2026 and was due for publication by the 26^th March 2026.

The Biodiversity Duty Report included ten sections which included policies, objectives and actions, how other strategies were considered, future actions, Biodiversity Net Gain information, Information about the Authority, Top Achievements, How Policies and Actions Have Helped, Awareness and Education, Monitoring and Evaluation and Highlights and Challenges. The report also outlined measures to enhance biodiversity, such as leaving areas of grass uncut, wildflower planting and public engagement in species monitoring. 

Members noted that there was a legislative requirement for the next Biodiversity Duty Report to be produced in five years, regardless of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) outcomes. It was further noted that some actions might require capital investment and that funding opportunities and grants would be explored. Biodiversity actions were linked to climate change resilience and carbon sequestration and monitoring would form part of the forthcoming Climate Change Strategy for the Council.

Following the presentation, comments and discussion by Members was as follows:

• It was queried if more specific data would be included in the Council’s Climate Change Strategy. In response the Officers explained that following the Biodiversity First Consideration Report publication, efforts would be concentrated on the monitoring of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) to demonstrate the location and species of trees planted and work would also be undertaken to improve greater ranges of species within the Borough. BNG would also be monitored through Local Plan policies and development management.

• Concerns were raised about the lack of detail in the report, in particular as to citizen science public engagement, in relation to specific details of the species of trees which would be planted, and if the Council should be actively seeking to support the progression of the work. Members were advised that collaborative partnership working would help to improve future data recording. Details of Redditch Borough Council’s (RBC) commitments to managing tree health and biodiversity resilience progression would be incorporated in the Council’s Tree Management Policy, with it being noted that works would develop over the five-year period. Outcomes of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) would also be a contributing factor affecting future proposals.
• Members queried the use of the word “pesticide” within the report and expressed that view that it might be misleading and suggested changing the wording to “herbicides”. Officers agreed to review this and would also respond to the Members to confirm current practices in use by the Council.
• A Member highlighted the success of community-led biodiversity projects and suggested replicating this model across other parks which was agreed would be reviewed for future reporting.
• Members requested feedback on the criteria for achieving Green Flag status and suggested promoting community involvement to improve other parks within the Borough.  It was agreed that this would be reviewed by the Parks Team and details would be reported back to the Committee.
• Members sought clarity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

This report will follow in a supplementary papers pack after it has been published for the meeting of Executive Committee (due for publication on Monday 5 January).

The Strategic Housing Services Manager reported on the allocation of the 2026/27 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Grant funding. The Grant to the Council for 2026/27 was expected to total £736,335 with £35,697 ring-fenced for domestic abuse grant element. It was noted that temporary accommodation costs could no longer be funded from this grant funding and would need to be met from the Council’s General Fund. It was also noted that grant funding was ring-fenced for specific prevention activities and the proposed allocations were outlined within the report.

Following the presentation of the report, Members commented and discussed the report as follows:

• Clarity on the support from St Pauls Housing Led/Housing First Support Service was requested. It was advised that this initiative for rough sleepers began during the covid pandemic. The service provided immediate refuge and additional support to assist with rough sleepers remaining off the streets.
• Following a question, Members were advised that the number of rough sleepers in the Borough was currently estimated at eight to ten. Following the response the Chair expressed the view that the grant funding which had been allocated for rough sleepers was substantial and requested clarity on the specific requirements. In response Officers explained that the rough sleeping allowance was only one element of the grant funding made available. Grant funding also included prevention initiatives and support programmes, which required regular monitoring. Other initiatives included support such as guide pathways, crash pads, severe weather support and housing of ex-offenders where necessary.
• The performance of the Council-funded organisation initiatives was discussed further. It was agreed by the Committee that an annual performance report should be recommended which would enable both scrutiny and the executive to review performance in this area. A current performance report for 2025/26 was also requested and agreed to be presented to the June meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
• Members also requested data on food bank usage to understand the local need.  Members were advised to note that some food bank organisations were independent and not Council run, however, Officers would gather the necessary data and share with Members of the Board.
• Clarification was requested to explain why the Homelessness Prevention Grant funding detailed within the report increased each year, compared to the Domestic Abuse Grant funding which remained static.  Officers advised that generally domestic abuse grant funding would be allocated through the new burdens process, however, the Homelessness Prevention Grant also covered elements of domestic abuse.
• Concerns were raised about the potential duplication of community grants and the need for visibility of all Council funding during grant panel meetings. In response Officers advised that the funding was managed for specific services and the applications submitted to receive Council’s grant funding required a detailed cost summary, which were assessed for any available funding. The Portfolio Holder addressed the Committee and explained the benefits of the some of the grant funded services for the Council, expressing the view that bed and breakfast funding requirements had substantially decreased due to the availability of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

The latest version of the Executive Work Programme will be published in a supplementary papers pack (on Monday 5 January 2026)

The Executive Committee Work Programme was submitted for Members’ consideration.

RESOLVED that

the Executive Committee’s Work Programme be noted.</AI7><AI8>

The Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme was submitted for Members’ consideration.

Members were provided with an update that the items relating to the Auxerre House Refurbishment and Regeneration and the Construction of Redditch Innovation Centre had been moved to the 16^th March 2026 Overview and Scrutiny meeting instead of the 5^th February 2026 meeting, due to Executive dates for these reports having moved.

RESOLVED that

the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme be noted.

a)          Budget Scrutiny Working Group – Chair, Councillor Warhurst

b)          Performance Scrutiny Working Group – Chair, Councillor Warhurst

c)           Post-16 Education Task Group – Chair, Councillor Warhurst

Updates were provided on the meetings of Task Groups and Working Groups as follows:

a)    Budget Scrutiny Working Group – Chair, Councillor Warhurst

Councillor Warhurst reported that the last meeting which took place on 7^th January 2026 had reviewed the standard finance reports including Housing Revenue Account (HRA) rent setting and Council Tax Reduction Scheme.  The Group had not made any recommendations to Executive Committee meeting on 13^th January 2026 and endorsed all the recommendations as printed in the reports.

b)    Performance Scrutiny Working Group – Chair, Councillor Warhurst

Councillor Warhurst reported that at the last meeting, which took place on 4^th December 2025, the Group discussed the ash dieback and tree planting strategies. Members had requested confirmation of planting dates and species. 

c)     Post-16 Education Task Group – Chair, Councillor Warhurst

There were no updates provided as the group had completed its work and were awaiting a final meeting to be arranged.

RESOLVED that

the Task Groups and Working Groups Update Reports be noted.

a)          West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Council Representative, Councillor Boyd;

b)          West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Transport Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Council Representative, Councillor Fardoe; and

c)           Worcestershire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) – Council Representative, Councillor Fry.

Updates on the meetings of External Scrutiny Bodies were provided as follows:

a)    West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Council Representative, Councillor Boyd

Councillor Boyd reported that he attended the most recent meeting of WMCA Overview and Scrutiny, which took place this morning (12^th January 2026), noting that most items were strategic and not directly relevant to RBC.

b)    West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Transport Delivery Overview and Scrutiny – Council Representative, Councillor Fardoe

There were no updates provided at this meeting.

c)     Worcestershire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) – Council Representative, Councillor Fry

There were no updates provided at this meeting.

RESOLVED that

the External Scrutiny Bodies updates be noted.

Should it be necessary, in the opinion of the Chief Executive, during the course of the meeting to consider excluding the public from the meeting on the grounds that exempt information is likely to be divulged, it may be necessary to move the following resolution:

“That, under S.100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following matter(s) on the grounds that it/they involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs (to be specified) of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) of the said Act”.

These paragraphs are as follows:

Subject to the “public interest” test, information relating to:

·         Para 1 – any individual;

·         Para 2 – the identity of any individual;

·         Para 3 – financial or business affairs;

·         Para 4 – labour relations matters;

·         Para 5 – legal professional privilege;

·         Para 6 –  a notice, order or direction;

·         Para 7 – the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime;

and may need to be considered as ‘exempt’.

RESOLVED that

Under S.100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following matters on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) of the said Act, as amended:

Minute Item No. 68 – Rubicon Leisure Priorities and Progress Update.

This item contains exempt information and may need to be considered in exempt (private) session.

The Managing Director of Rubicon Leisure provided a presentation on Rubicon’s priorities and recent progress to Members. Key points discussed during the presentation included the five priorities and five themes for 2025/26 which were:

Priorities of: Grow our income and be financially sustainable; Invest in our staff, provide support, tools and opportunity to learn and develop; Inspire more people to improve health and well-being; Improve the quality of our offer, experiences and services; Provide opportunities for our communities.

Themes: Our Finances. Our People, Our Customers, Our Communities, Our Development.

During the presentation these priorities and themes were discussed in further detail. After the presentation, Members discussed the following aspects:

• Members were very encouraged by the progress and improvements to the business and wished to thank all the staff involved who had assisted Rubicon Leisure becoming a commercial success.
• Utilisation of financial support from the Council was discussed. It was noted that there were plans for Rubicon to invest in further commercial aspects, however, the key priority remained to ensure sustainability for the future. Whilst Rubicon continued to identify profitable areas, ensuring financial stability in essential functions such as repairs and maintenance was a priority.
• Members noted that some areas of Rubicon’s operations had achieved considerable success recently such as ice cream sales during the summer period and the popularity of outdoor swimming at Arrow Valley Lake.
• Clarity on the Net Promotor Score (NPS) was requested, and it was explained to the Committee that this was a key customer satisfaction metrics system which was updated daily and was an effective way to assess future sustainability of the business.
• Progress in Rubicon’s delivery of leisure services was discussed and Members queried the gym memberships rate.  In response Members noted that income from gym memberships was good and that Rubicon’s gym membership was competitively priced. Rubicon was looking to invest in its Health and Wellbeing activities in response to identified growing public interest.
• The Rubicon’s health and wellbeing offer was discussed with reference to queries as to how many customers visited from priority health neighbourhood areas within the Borough. In response Members were advised that around eight percent of the population of those neighbourhoods used the Rubicon’s health and wellbeing services on offer, including community activities. In terms of affordability, it was explained that Rubicon’s food and beverage offer was also competitively priced, as compared to popular chain outlets.
• Data for the use of services outside of the Borough was requested. It was explained that data for the Palace Theatre demonstrated that there were significant sales from customers visiting from outside of the Borough. It was noted that Arrow Valley Lake had been shortlisted as Best Visitor Attraction with recent visitor numbers having tripled in size.
• Areas in which to improve the Rubicon’s business were also discussed by the Committee. Key areas included food waste and electrical compliance, environmental policies, HR and Marketing. Incorporating climate change strategies into future plans was also discussed to align with the Council’s objectives.
• The use of local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.