Issue - meetings

To set out the Work Programme of the Policy Development Panel (report of the Assistant Director – Governance enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) which set out the Work Programme of the Policy Development Panel.

The Chairman introduced the report to members:

a)    Appendix A listed the schedule of meetings for 2025/26 with expected items populated against each meeting.

b)    Appendix B outlined the task groups of the Panel.

Members considered the current Work Programme and discussed forthcoming items.

• Members noted that the Waste Policy was scheduled for a future meeting and emphasised the importance of thorough scrutiny.
• Members requested early sight of the draft Waste Policy to allow adequate time for review.
  • The Democratic Services Officer advised that statutory requirements required agendas to be published at least five working days before the meeting, earlier publication could be explored where possible.

• Members stressed that the Panel should not be expected to “rubber stamp” policies without proper scrutiny. Members agreed that if they were not satisfied with the content, they would refer the policy back for further work.

• The Panel noted that a session on budget savings was scheduled for 13 January 2026. Members queried whether Portfolio Holders would attend to enable direct scrutiny.
  • The Democratic Services Officer confirmed that arrangements were still being finalised.

• Members discussed the Business Frontage Task Group, which had now largely been incorporated into the Spalding Town Centre Strategy.
  •  It was agreed to keep the item on the work programme for awareness, given ongoing issues with vinyl signage and enforcement limitations.

AGREED:

That the Work Programme of the Policy Development Panel be noted.