Agenda

To issue a welcome to those present, and to confirm if there are any apologies for absence.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

The minutes of the meeting of the Overview Select Committee held on Wednesday 18^th March have been circulated, and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

Members will be asked to note the membership of the committee for 2026/27

as follows:

                     CHAIR                     Councillor Ashiedu Joel

                     VICE CHAIR           Councillor Bhupen Dave   

                                                   Councillor Melissa March

                                                   Councillor Misbah Batool  

                                                   Councillor Sue Waddington

                                                   Councillor Elaine Halford

                                                   Councillor Syed Zaman

                                                   Councillor Molly O’Neil

                                                   Councillor Hemant Rae Bhatia

                                                   Councillor Abdul Osman

                                                   Councillor Nigel Porter

                                                   Councillor Patrick Kitterick

Members will be asked to note the meeting dates of the committee for 2026/27

as follows:

8^th July 2026

9^th September 2026

2^nd December 2026

11^th February 2027

17^th March 2027

The Committee will be asked to note the Terms of Reference.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any questions, representations and statements of case submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer reported that four questions have been received:

1.     Stephen Ashley to ask: Whilst we welcome the opportunity to bid for capital funding, we are disappointed that we are simultaneously required to compete for revenue funding at a significantly reduced level.

The Councils previous funding arrangements ended in April, leaving the Playgrounds operating in a period of uncertainty whilst awaiting the outcome of a competitive process, that even at its maximum level, provides only a portion of previous funding. During this period, organisations have been expected to continue to deliver essential services, retain experienced staff and reassure children and their families about their future.

The Council has previously explained that the reductions in support were driven by constraints of the local government funding settlement. Given that the funding from Central Government has since improved, what consideration has been given to providing greater revenue support during the transition period to help safeguard these services and reduce uncertainty for the children, families, staff and trustees, who rely upon them?

On behalf of Braunstone, Highfields, New Parks, St Andrews and Woodgate Adventure Playgrounds

2.     Kevin Sherriff to ask: Could the committee explain the rationale for funding pop up playschemes, which have limited indoor/outdoor space and modest user capacity, through HAF and overlooking a full time, open access, children’s adventure playground with experienced staff, extensive outdoor play provision, and a dedicated play building which attracts c120 children per day. 

The adventure playground is a trusted community service and is especially reliant on voluntary funding (like HAF) to provide holiday playschemes.  It has been supporting local children and families for over 50 years including a well-established service offering nutritious food to all users free of charge. 

3.     Kevin Sherriff to ask: Could colleagues also more clearly explain why HAP was asked and encouraged to apply for HAF funding by officers who recognised HAP’s community standing, user reach and quality of service and at a time when HAF targets were reportedly not being sufficiently met.

4.     Kevin Sherrif to ask: In the interests of transparency and more clearly understanding the funding criteria, decision making process and roles, is it possible to see the assessment criteria and scoring system used, including HAP’s assessment and score and confirmation of the formal grant decision making process and those lead officers/members responsible for decision making.

The Chair is invited to make any announcements as they see fit. 

The Monitoring Officer to report on any petitions received.

The Monitoring Officer submits a report that updates Members on the monitoring of outstanding petitions. The Committee is asked to note the current outstanding petitions and agree to remove those petitions marked ‘Petitions Process Complete’ from the report.

The City Mayor will answer questions raised by members of the Overview Select Committee on issues not covered elsewhere on the agenda.

The Director of Finance submits a report providing an overview of the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) that replaces the Household Support Fund (HSF).

The Director of Finance submits the final report in the monitoring cycle for 2025/26 and reports performance against budget for the year.

The Director of Finance submits a report presenting the position of the capital programme for 2025/26 as at the end of March 2026.

The Director of Finance submits a report detailing progress made in collecting debts raised by the Council during the year 2025-26, together with debts outstanding and brought forward from the previous year. It also sets out details of debts written off under delegated authority that have not been possible to collect at reasonable effort and expense.

The Director of Finance submits a report reviewing how the Council conducted its borrowing and investments during 2025/26.

The City Barrister and Head of Standards submits a report providing a summary of the Scrutiny Annual Report 2025-26.

The current work programme for the Committee is attached.  The Committee is asked to consider this and make comments and/or amendments as it considers necessary.