a) Budget Scrutiny Working Group – Chair, Councillor Kane
b) Performance Scrutiny Working Group – Chair, Councillor Harvey
c) Post-16 Education Task Group – Chair, Councillor Spilsbury
Minutes:
Updates were provided on the meetings of Working Groups and Task Groups as follows:
a) Budget Scrutiny Working Group – Chair, Councillor Kane
The Chair of the Budget Scrutiny Working Group reported on the meetings held on 19 August and 3 September 2026. At the August meeting, Members had received the further financial context the Medium Term Financial Plan scene setting report for 2027/28 behind and were concerned that some Assistant Directors did not have sufficient clarity about their budgets. Work was under way to review each service budget with the relevant Assistant Director before quarter two monitoring reporting. The Working Group also considered the Treasury Management Outturn Report and the Financial Monitoring and Outturn Report. Members found the capital programme difficult to scrutinise because it was not always clear which schemes were supported by existing cash, and which schemes were funded by borrowing or external funding, and further clarification regarding this would be provided i
At the September meeting, the overall corporate performance position was reviewed. The Chair of Budget Scrutiny that the position appeared strong apart from issues in Housing as discussed earlier in this meeting. The financial monitoring report was also scrutinised and the full year forecast revenue position for 2026/27 was for a revenue overspend of £738,000, with the largest pressure in Financial and Customer Services arising from agency staffing and VAT-related work. The Council was nevertheless reported to remain in a relatively stable financial position. Housing-related legal costs and the Community Investment Fund were discussed. The Chair of Budget Scrutiny reported that it was understood that the Community Investment Fund remained available, but no requests had been submitted to drawdown from this Fund.
Members discussed the relationship between Overview and Scrutiny and its Working Groups and the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee. Officers explained that scrutiny examined quarterly financial and service performance, whilst the role of Audit was in considering the systems, controls and assurance supporting the figures, including the accounts closure process. Members were encouraged to attend other committees as observers where this would improve their understanding. During discussion, it was reported in relation to financial data, that quarter two financial monitoring data would include data following service budgets reviews undertaken with Assistant Directors. Officers explained that the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee could separately seek internal audit assurance on this process.
b) Performance Scrutiny Working Group – Chair, Councillor Harvey
The Performance Scrutiny Working Group had met on 29 July 2026. It considered the work of Bromsgrove and Redditch Network (BARN), an organisation which received substantial Council funding, including its role in matching volunteers to volunteering opportunities and supporting local services. At the meeting, Members had asked questions of the organisation’s representative and the representative had provided a presentation explaining BARN’s work and use of funding. The Working Group also considered the neighbourhood warden scheme. Positive feedback was provided on the warden’s role as an approachable link between residents and the Council, an important element in providing a visible point of contact for community safety issues. The wardens’ role included early intervention, de-escalation and assistance with matters such as fly-tipping, and a lot of case studies of work by the community warden was shared at the Performance Scrutiny meeting. A second warden had recently been recruited reinforcing the service. Members praised the work of community wardens and commented that the service should remain focused on proactive community engagement.
c) Post-16 Education Task Group – Chair, Councillor Spilsbury
Since the last verbal to the Committee, there had been no further meetings of the Post-16 Education Task Group. Its next meeting was due at the end of September 2026, and representatives from Heart of Worcestershire College had been invited. The Group wished to explore proactive support for young people at risk of becoming not in education, employment or training, including possible mentoring by Members and senior officers, with the College being thought to provide an appropriate and safe route for engagement.
RESOLVED that
the updates in respect of the Budget Scrutiny Working Group, the Performance Scrutiny Working Group and the Post-16 Education Task Group be noted.