At its meeting on 12 June 2024, Cabinet considered the following reports from Scrutiny and made responses to the recommendations:

·       Tree Management Policy 2024-2032

·       Framework for the Installation of Renewable Technologies in Council-owned Properties

·       Biodiversity Net Gain

·       Citywide Retrofit Strategy

·       Tree Planting

·       Energy Generation/Solar Potential on Council Buildings

·       Integrated Performance Report Q3 2023/24

·       Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code Self-Assessment

·       Implementation of Selective Licensing

·       Adult Exploitation

Since the Scrutiny Committee’s previous meeting on 05 June 2024, the following Panels have met:

·       Climate and Environment Panel (11 June 2024)

The Committee is asked to:

1.    Note Cabinet’s responses to its recommendations.

2.    Note any updates from Panel meetings.

In response to a question raised at the previous meeting in June, the Committee was advised that 'scrutiny' would continue to be a standing item on Shareholder and Joint Venture Group (SJVG) agendas, the same way as scrutiny was at Cabinet meetings. Recommendations relating to companies scrutiny would be submitted to SJVG (rather than Cabinet) and the Finance and Performance Panel Chair or relevant Scrutiny representative would have the opportunity to present recommendations under that specific item. Exact arrangements were still being determined, but it was likely that Scrutiny would have a standing invite to SJVG meetings to observe (i.e. without speaking rights), however this invitation could be revoked if needed (e.g. for confidentiality reasons).

The Committee noted that on 12 June 2024, Cabinet considered recommendations related to ten reports, responses to which were set out in the agenda pack:

• Tree Management Policy 2024-2032
• Framework for the Installation of Renewable Technologies in Council-owned Properties
• Biodiversity Net Gain
• Citywide Retrofit Strategy
• Tree Planting
• Energy Generation/Solar Potential on Council Buildings
• Integrated Performance Report Q3 2023/24
• Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code Self-Assessment
• Implementation of Selective Licensing
• Adult Exploitation

The Scrutiny Officer advised that the Climate and Environment Panel had met on 11 June 2024 and considered three substantive items: Tree Management Policy 2024-2032; Framework for the Installation of Renewable Technologies in Council-owned Properties; and HRA Energy Efficiency Projects 2024/25. The Panel made a number of recommendations to Cabinet in respect of the Tree Management Policy 2024-2032 and Framework for the Installation of Renewable Technologies in Council-owned Properties items, responses to which were set out in the agenda pack.

The Committee requested that the Scrutiny Officer develop a recommendation tracker incorporating all Scrutiny Committee recommendations from 2023/24 onwards.