Agenda item

Report of the Group Director of Operations

Members gave consideration to the Work Programme items scheduled to be considered by this Scrutiny Committee during 2025/26, and to any additional areas that Members would like to be included for this municipal year.

We suggested that the following reports be added:

(a)       A report on the number, locations and condition of children’s play-areas across Darlington.

(b)       A report on the support available to families affected by youth offenses

(c)       A report on childhood poverty, specifically following the completion of the current in-progress review which aims understand the work currently undertaken across services that has an impact on those living in poverty.

In relation to the above suggestions, members agreed for officers to make enquiries as to whether reports may share interest with the remit of other committees and to organise reasonable dates for presentation.

A number of questions were also raised for officer responses relating to the service area and Council events.  Discussion ensued around Key Performance Indicators, and it was agreed that members would be provided via email with the full suite of performance indicators for both Children’s Services and Education for member’s consideration and suggestion for inclusion in future performance reports.

RESOLVED – That members agreed the work programme for the municipal year 2025/26.  Members gave consent for the Democratic Officer to make any necessary adjustments to relieve congestion in future meetings.