Southampton City Council
Councillors:
51
Wards:
17
Committees:
23
Meetings (2025):
154
Meetings (2024):
93
Meeting
Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee - Southampton
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 20th February 2025
5:30 PM
Thursday, 20th February 2025
5:30 PM
End:
Thursday, 20th February 2025
9:30 PM
Thursday, 20th February 2025
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
20 Feb 2025
20 Feb 2025
Location:
Conference Room 3 and 4 - Civic Centre
Conference Room 3 and 4 - Civic Centre
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Catherine Hobbs
Roman Catholic Church
Expected
Committee Member
Appointed - OSMC
Rob Sanders
Church of England
Expected
Officer
Richard Ivory
Expected
Officer
Executive Director - Wellbeing (Children and Learning)
Robert Henderson
Expected
Officer
Mel Creighton
Expected
Officer
Adam Wilkinson
Expected
Officer
Andrew Travers
Expected
Committee Member
Sheriff of Southampton - 2025 -2026
Agenda
1
Apologies and Changes in Panel Membership (If Any)
To note any changes in membership of the Panel made in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.3.
Minutes
It was noted that following receipt of the temporary resignation of Councillor McManus from the Committee, the Monitoring Officer, acting under delegated powers, had appointed Councillor Whitbread to replace them for the purposes of this meeting.
5
Statement From The Chair
Minutes
6
Minutes of the Previous Meeting (including matters arising)
To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 23 January 2025 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes , 23/01/2025 Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee 12 Feb 2025
Minutes
Resolved that, the minutes of the committee meeting held on 23 January 2025 be approved as an accurate record.
7
Forward Pan- Budget Proposals and Transformation Programme Update
Report of the Scrutiny Manager enabling the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to examine the content of the Forward Plan and to discuss issues of interest or concern with the Executive.
Attachments:
- Document Forward Plan - Budget Proposals and Transformation Programme Update 12 Feb 2025
- Document Appendix 1 - Transformation Programme Update.docx 12 Feb 2025
- Document Appendix 2 - The Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy.docx 12 Feb 2025
- Document Appendix 3 - The General Fund Capital Programme.docx 12 Feb 2025
- Document Appendix 4 - The HRA Budget and Capital Programme.docx 12 Feb 2025
Minutes
Forward Plan – Transformation Update.
Councillor Letts – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Corporate Services, Mel Creighton – Executive Director for Enabling Services, James Wills-Fleming – Transformation Director and several members of the Executive Management Team were in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.
Councillor Letts set out the progress made to date in relation to the transformation programme, including savings exceeding £9m to date, and the impact these changes have had in relation to the current and projected budget. Councillor Letts then outlined the Council’s expectation with regards to future reductions and efficiencies.
The Committee noted the update and raised several questions regarding specific transformation programmes and potential challenges for the Council, including:
Performance and Risk
The Committee sought to understand how risks were being managed and mitigated in relation to the changes and realignment of services through the transformation programme. Councillor Letts set out how risks were being monitored and managed including through the improved use of technology and data to protect and enhance provision to vulnerable service users. Councillor Letts also set out the Red, Amber, Green (RAG) assessment criteria applied to the transformation programme detailing achievements to date, those projected to be achieved and those areas that require further confidence to progress.
Cllr Letts highlighted the period when Newton (Europe) consultancy support reduces, and responsibility to continue to maintain momentum transfers to City Council services, as being a time when risks are likely to be heightened.
Expenditure
The Committee were keen to understand the current and future levels of expenditure required to deliver the Council’s transformation programme. Councillor Letts set out the current level of costs in relation to consultancy provision, the Council’s in-house transformation teams as well as the savings being achieved, and the approach being taken.
Phase Two
Councillor Letts set out the plans under phase two of the transformation programme relating to growth, reducing demand, and embedding cultural and behavioural changes. In addition, the Committee discussed with the Cabinet Member the potential impact of the Local Government Reorganisation both in terms of the identified opportunities and risks.
The Cabinet Member indicated that the Council were actively considering adopting the Marmot Principles to help address the inequalities prevalent in Southampton and reduce demand for services.
Forward Plan – Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget & Capital Programme.
Councillor Letts – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Corporate Services, Councillor A Frampton – Cabinet Member for Housing Operations, Mel Creighton – Executive Director for Enabling Services and S151 Officer and Debbie Ward – Executive Director, Resident Services were in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.
Councillor A Frampton introduced the report setting out the current position and the plans to improve outcomes for Council tenants, as part of the wider transformation agenda being delivered via the Housing Improvement Plan and the Good Landlord Transformation Programme. Reducing voids, rent arrears and increasing the percentage of properties classified as Decent Homes were identified as priorities for the service.
The Council is in the process of reviewing the HRA Business Plan to ascertain the budget envelope that can be invested in the housing stock over the 40-year period of the plan.
Whilst recognising the work being undertaken to review the HRA Business Plan, and the increased expenditure identified for 2025/26 to improve the housing stock, the Committee raised concerns about the capital allocation outlined for 2026/27 and beyond and the inability of the Council to spend the resources allocated within the timescales agreed.
Forward Plan - The 2025/26 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy.
Councillor Letts – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, Mel Creighton – Executive Director for Enabling Services and S151 Officer, and Richard Williams – Director of Finance were in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.
Councillor Letts introduced the report and provided an overview of the draft budget which is balanced for the period of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy. Councillor Letts explained that this had been achieved through a combination of transformation savings, effective budgetary controls, and additional funding from Government. It was emphasised that the delivery of the remaining transformation savings would be challenging and 2025/26 would be a pivotal year for the Council’s financial position.
The Committee were informed that the requested extension to Exceptional Financial Support had been agreed and that the Executive hoped this would support the conclusion of the equal pay claim in 2025/26.
The Committee noted the report and sought clarification and assurances on specific matters including the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), support for the Voluntary and Community Sector, the Procurement Forward Plan and the potential impact on the proposals associated with Local Government Reorganisation.
Forward Plan – General Fund Capital Programme.
Councillor Letts – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Corporate Services, Mel Creighton – Executive Director for Enabling Services & S151 Officer, and Richard Williams – Director of Finance were in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.
Councillor Letts introduced the report and set out the proposals for the General Fund Capital Programme. The Council’s failure to deliver capital projects on time and in budget was raised by the Committee. The concerns were shared by Cabinet and the establishment of a Capital Delivery Group, to support Capital Board, was referenced by the Cabinet Member as part of the improvements planned to address this issue.
The Committee raised questions relating to the Asset Development and Disposal Programme. The Cabinet Member explained that the programme was gathering pace and that the £16m target for capital receipts in 2024/25 was likely to be met.
The Committee also raised concerns about, and sought updates on, the increasing costs of the Outdoor Sports Centre project and St Marys Leisure Centre, and the level of capital investment allocated to the highways network. Cllr Lett’s identified that investment in highways was a priority of the Administration and would be increased when other pressures have been reduced.
Councillor Letts – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Corporate Services, Mel Creighton – Executive Director for Enabling Services, James Wills-Fleming – Transformation Director and several members of the Executive Management Team were in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.
Councillor Letts set out the progress made to date in relation to the transformation programme, including savings exceeding £9m to date, and the impact these changes have had in relation to the current and projected budget. Councillor Letts then outlined the Council’s expectation with regards to future reductions and efficiencies.
The Committee noted the update and raised several questions regarding specific transformation programmes and potential challenges for the Council, including:
Performance and Risk
The Committee sought to understand how risks were being managed and mitigated in relation to the changes and realignment of services through the transformation programme. Councillor Letts set out how risks were being monitored and managed including through the improved use of technology and data to protect and enhance provision to vulnerable service users. Councillor Letts also set out the Red, Amber, Green (RAG) assessment criteria applied to the transformation programme detailing achievements to date, those projected to be achieved and those areas that require further confidence to progress.
Cllr Letts highlighted the period when Newton (Europe) consultancy support reduces, and responsibility to continue to maintain momentum transfers to City Council services, as being a time when risks are likely to be heightened.
Expenditure
The Committee were keen to understand the current and future levels of expenditure required to deliver the Council’s transformation programme. Councillor Letts set out the current level of costs in relation to consultancy provision, the Council’s in-house transformation teams as well as the savings being achieved, and the approach being taken.
Phase Two
Councillor Letts set out the plans under phase two of the transformation programme relating to growth, reducing demand, and embedding cultural and behavioural changes. In addition, the Committee discussed with the Cabinet Member the potential impact of the Local Government Reorganisation both in terms of the identified opportunities and risks.
The Cabinet Member indicated that the Council were actively considering adopting the Marmot Principles to help address the inequalities prevalent in Southampton and reduce demand for services.
Forward Plan – Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget & Capital Programme.
Councillor Letts – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Corporate Services, Councillor A Frampton – Cabinet Member for Housing Operations, Mel Creighton – Executive Director for Enabling Services and S151 Officer and Debbie Ward – Executive Director, Resident Services were in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.
Councillor A Frampton introduced the report setting out the current position and the plans to improve outcomes for Council tenants, as part of the wider transformation agenda being delivered via the Housing Improvement Plan and the Good Landlord Transformation Programme. Reducing voids, rent arrears and increasing the percentage of properties classified as Decent Homes were identified as priorities for the service.
The Council is in the process of reviewing the HRA Business Plan to ascertain the budget envelope that can be invested in the housing stock over the 40-year period of the plan.
Whilst recognising the work being undertaken to review the HRA Business Plan, and the increased expenditure identified for 2025/26 to improve the housing stock, the Committee raised concerns about the capital allocation outlined for 2026/27 and beyond and the inability of the Council to spend the resources allocated within the timescales agreed.
Forward Plan - The 2025/26 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy.
Councillor Letts – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, Mel Creighton – Executive Director for Enabling Services and S151 Officer, and Richard Williams – Director of Finance were in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.
Councillor Letts introduced the report and provided an overview of the draft budget which is balanced for the period of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy. Councillor Letts explained that this had been achieved through a combination of transformation savings, effective budgetary controls, and additional funding from Government. It was emphasised that the delivery of the remaining transformation savings would be challenging and 2025/26 would be a pivotal year for the Council’s financial position.
The Committee were informed that the requested extension to Exceptional Financial Support had been agreed and that the Executive hoped this would support the conclusion of the equal pay claim in 2025/26.
The Committee noted the report and sought clarification and assurances on specific matters including the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), support for the Voluntary and Community Sector, the Procurement Forward Plan and the potential impact on the proposals associated with Local Government Reorganisation.
Forward Plan – General Fund Capital Programme.
Councillor Letts – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Corporate Services, Mel Creighton – Executive Director for Enabling Services & S151 Officer, and Richard Williams – Director of Finance were in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.
Councillor Letts introduced the report and set out the proposals for the General Fund Capital Programme. The Council’s failure to deliver capital projects on time and in budget was raised by the Committee. The concerns were shared by Cabinet and the establishment of a Capital Delivery Group, to support Capital Board, was referenced by the Cabinet Member as part of the improvements planned to address this issue.
The Committee raised questions relating to the Asset Development and Disposal Programme. The Cabinet Member explained that the programme was gathering pace and that the £16m target for capital receipts in 2024/25 was likely to be met.
The Committee also raised concerns about, and sought updates on, the increasing costs of the Outdoor Sports Centre project and St Marys Leisure Centre, and the level of capital investment allocated to the highways network. Cllr Lett’s identified that investment in highways was a priority of the Administration and would be increased when other pressures have been reduced.
8
Monitoring Scrutiny Recommendations to the Executive
Report of the Scrutiny Manager enabling the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to monitor and track progress on recommendations made to the Executive at previous meetings
Attachments:
- Document Monitoring Scrutiny Recommendations to the Executive 12 Feb 2025
- Document Monitoring - Appendix 1.docx 12 Feb 2025
Minutes
The Committee considered and discussed the responses and ongoing adctions from the Executive to recommendations from previous meetings.
Previous Meetings
Future Meetings
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