Agenda item

The Executive Director Core Services submitted a report presenting, for approval, the proposed revised Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Committee as detailed within Appendix 1 attached to the report.

The Committee had considered the Terms of Reference at the Development Session held in October 2021 and relatively minor changes had been proposed to list the areas of governance that fell within the Committee’s remit and an update on the Committee’s responsibility in considering any payments in excess of £2,000 as directed by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.  The Committee further considered the Terms of Reference within a review of the Committee in February, 2022.  The feedback from Members of the Committee identified no additional areas for amendment in the Terms of Reference.

In the ensuing discussion, reference was made to the following:

·         Further consideration would be given to whether or not to include within the Terms of Reference the risks associated with third party attacks/cyber-attacks.  It was noted, however, that such types of issues were picked up within other policies and strategies within the ToR which considered, for example, strategic risks

·         There was a discussion of the interaction between Cabinet, Scrutiny and this Committee and whether or not the Terms of Reference should specifically reflect such arrangements.  It was noted that whilst not explicitly outlined within the Terms of Reference, arrangements were nevertheless currently in place.  The Chair of Scrutiny met with the Chair of this Committee as and when required and he, together with the Cabinet Spokesperson for Core Services would be more than willing to attend this Committee if required.  It was generally felt that the current arrangements were transparent and there was, therefore, probably no reason to amend the current Terms of Reference

RECOMMENDED TO FULL COUNCIL that the Terms of Reference as now amended and as detailed within Appendix 1 to the report be approved.