Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Harkness, Malik, Rustidge and Williamson.

To consider that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that discussions may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, under paragraph 3 as defined in the provisions of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

The Scrutiny Board resumed its proceedings after adjourning on 24^th July 2025.

Some members of the Scrutiny Board were of the opinion that it was in the public interest for the item – Creating a Better Place – Update, which was considered in private session by the Cabinet on 12^th June 2025.

The Chair noted that he had taken advice, on this matter, from officers from the Council’s Legal Services team who had recommended that the report be considered by the Scrutiny Board in private has the Council could be damaged if the matter was considered in the public domain. This advice was on the basis that certain aspects of the works detailed in the report were still subject to a competitive tendering process and the council could be prejudiced if that information was made publicly available.

On being put to the Vote member voted by 6 votes to 5 to consider the report in public session. Councillors Aslam, Chauhan, Davis Junaid Hussain and McLaren voted for the public and press to be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the agenda item – Creating a Better Place – Update. Councillors Ghafoor, Kenyon, Kouser, Murphy, Sharp and Wilkinson voted for the agenda item - Creating a Better Place – Update, to be considered in public.

Resolved:

That the press and public be permitted to remain in the meeting during consideration of the following agenda item Creating a Better Place – Update.

The Scrutiny Board is requested to note the Call-in request and to consider the recommendations, in the confidential report, that were approved by Cabinet on 16^th June 2025 (minute 11 refers) and which were subsequently called-in by Councillors Kenyon and Al-Hamdani.

The confidential report considered by the Cabinet on 16^th June 2025, the associated appendices and the Call-in form received from Councillors Kenyon and Al-Hamdani are attached, for Member’s consideration.

The Chair of the Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board, requested that legal advice be considered on this matter, namely whether it was appropriate for the report on Creating a Better Place – Update (which was considered in private by the Cabinet on 12^th June 2025), to be considered in public session by the Scrutiny Board.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8.4(k) it was MOVED that this Place, Economic Growth and Environment Scrutiny Board meeting be adjourned until Wednesday, 5^th November 2025 at 4.30pm.

On being put to the VOTE, the Motion was CARRIED.