To appoint a task and finish group to explore the delivery of transport options for residents within the Districts and present its findings and recommendations to the Committee.
The Committee may resolve to set parameters for the work of the task and finish group.
Minutes:
86.1 The Chair introduced the item for a Task and Finish Group to scope a potential item for scrutinising transport in the Babergh and Mid Suffolk districts with the possibility of co-opted officers providing professional advice and guidance.
86.2 Councillor Simon Barrett outlined how he did not feel that it was a worthwhile exercise considering that the County Council controlled this area.
86.3 The Chair responded that the Group did not have to be limited to formal services but that there were many different informal services and the Task and Finish Groups role would be to look at what would be achievable and whether there was anything worth scoping.
86.4 Councillor Sarah Mansel commented on the poor transport services across Mid Suffolk and that there needed to be a joined-up approach to this issue.
86.5 Members of the Committee debated whether this would be a good use of the Council’s resources when they had no power over the final decision being taken and whether a countywide approach would be better suited to this topic.
86.6 The Chair reminded Members that the role of this proposed Task and Finish Group was to scope out whether it was worthwhile to conduct a full scrutiny and that the Group could return their findings that it was not worth undertaking.
86.7 Members debated their role in representing their residents on this issue and that this was not a purely transport related issue, that all areas had community transport networks and it could identify support where it was needed and provide an input into the County Council’s Bus Back Better Campaign.
86.7 Councillors continued to debate on the issues including: the what the expectation was from residents considering that the Councils had declared a Climate Emergency, and that this was more of a responsibility of County Councillors to raise as an issue.
86.8 Councillor Simon Barrett proposed that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee did not create a task and finish group for the scoping of transport in the districts as it is outside of the District Councils remit.
86.9 Councillor Sian Dawson seconded the motion.
86.10 By 5 votes to 6.
86.11 the motion was lost
86.12 Councillor Sarah Mansel proposed that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee does create a task and finish group for the scoping of transport in the districts
86.13 Councillor Keith Scarff seconded the motion.
86.14 By 7 votes to 4
86.15 RESOLVED
That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee does create a task and finish group for the scoping of transport in the districts.
86.15 Members debated and took advice from the Corporate Manager -Governance and Civic Office on the Membership of the Committee including the co-option of Members as well as the calling of Key witnesses to task and finish group meetings and could include other Members of the Council.
86.16 Councillor Keith Welham proposed that the Chairs of BDC and MSDC Overview and Scrutiny Committees formulate the task and finish Group with 2 Members from each Council excluding the Chairs.
86.17 Councillor Jane Gould seconded the motion.
86.18 By 10 votes to 1
86.19 RESOLVED
That the Chairs of BDC and MSDC Overview and Scrutiny Committees formulate the task and finish group with 2 members from each Council excluding the Chairs.