Agenda and minutes

A nomination for the position of Chairman was received in respect of Councillor P.M. McDonald.

RESOLVED that Councillor P. M. McDonald be appointed as Chairman of the Board for the ensuing municipal year.

A nomination for the position of Vice Chairman was received in respect of Councillor S. T. Nock.

RESOLVED that Councillor S.T. Nock be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Board for the ensuing municipal year.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor A. Bailes with Councillor C.A. Hotham in attendance as his named substitute, Councillor R. Bailes with Councillor S.R. Colella in attendance as her named substitute and A.M. Dale with Councillor D.J.A. Forsythe in attendance as her named substitute.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

Councillor B. Kumar and Councillor S.T Nock both declared disclosable interests in Minute Item no. 6/25 – Local Government Reorganisation All Member Engagement Session Supported by Mutual Ventures – in their capacity as Parish Councillors.  They remained present during the debate in respect of this item and voted thereon.

The minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 15^th April 2025 were considered.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 15^th April 2025 be agreed as a true and correct record.</AI3>

A presentation will be provided to Members at the meeting.

The attached papers were specified as “to follow” on the Agenda previously distributed relating to the above mentioned meeting.

A presentation was provided to Members by the Technical Services Manager of Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS).

Key points raised during the presentation were as follows:

• The new inspection strategy aimed to replace the previous version and meet the requirements of the statutory guidance which was issued in 2012. 
• The strategy outlined the process for the review of potential contaminated land sites within the District and the prioritisation methodology used.
• The report aimed to provide an overview of the framework that existed in respect of contaminated land.
• Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 placed a duty on Local Authorities to review and assess the significant possibility of harm to human health arising from contaminated land.
• Contaminated land legislation should only be used when there were no other alternative mechanisms available.  However, the framework was predominately reviewed through the planning and development control process.
• The revised report reflected the gradual reduction and withdrawal of funding from Central Government.
• To date no sites had been declared as “Contaminated Land” by BDC.  However, several sites of concern had been subject to detailed inspection. 
• Planning policies encouraged the reuse of Brownfield land.

After consideration of the presentation, Members raised the following:

·         The protocol to be followed if a member of the public had concerns that a plot of land was contaminated.  Members were reminded that the strategy only reported on sites where contamination might be present and had the potential to pose a significant possibility of significant harm to human health.  It was also explained that the Council focused on addressing sites where contamination might exist predominately through the planning and development control process.  However, if a member of the public did have a concern, they could contact Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) to review.

·         Members noted in the report that approximately 2,020 sites, which had been identified as potential sites of contaminated land within the District, largely related to historic land use, with some sites to potentially be identified as Brownfield sites.  However, Members expressed the view that the District did not have a significant amount of Brownfield sites and requested clarification on this point.  Members were informed that inspections involved reviewing land for suitable usage which could involve further scrutiny beneath the surface land layer. 

·         Members were reassured that the Council did not have any contaminated land sites.  It was also explained that there was a specific criterion for land inspection including sites categorised in the order of priority.

·         The Leader requested the outcome of two sites following any review undertaken.  It was agreed that the appropriate information would be provided accordingly by the necessary Officers.

·         It was queried how a member of the public would be informed if land they owned was contaminated land.  The Board were informed that any remediation to address potential contaminated land should be revealed in the title deeds to a property.  However, Members were reassured that in the event that any land, which posed a concern when being developed, would have remediation action carried out accordingly.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7/25

This report will follow in a supplementary papers pack to this agenda once it has been published for the consideration of Council.

The Chairman confirmed that this agenda item had been withdrawn with the agreement of the Chairman and Vice Chairman, prior to the meeting.  The decision had been taken as the item was no longer due to be considered at the forthcoming Cabinet meeting but would be debated by all Members at the Council meeting on 19^th June 2025.

A presentation on the Installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers was provided to the Board by the Assistant Director Environmental Housing Property Services.

The purpose of the report was to outline the Implementation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across BDC’s owned car parks and land.  Key objectives of the project were to increase the availability of EV charging points in public spaces whilst supporting the Council’s Carbon Reduction Strategy.

After consideration of the report, the Board provided the following points of discussion:

·         Members queried if the Council were satisfied that when providing Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) across Council owned land, that disabled access would be a key priority.  In response Members were informed that an appropriate update would be sought from the current contractor Zest Eco Limited and would be reported back to Members accordingly.

·         A point was raised concerning the existing agreement in place with the contractor Equans regarding revenue share arrangements.  Members sought clarification on how much revenue the Council could achieve. Members were advised that the relevant information would be sought from the contractor Equans and would be reported back to Members accordingly.

·         The Board sought clarification as to whether the Council was required to pay for vandalism damages to EVCIs, in particular, concerning an incident which involved wires cut on BDC owned land.  It was explained, as stated in the report, that the supplier was required to provide fully funded EVCI at no cost to the Council.  The contract allowed for the supply, installation, maintenance and ongoing operational management of the EVCI across the various agreed sites.

·         Members expressed their disappointment that the outer village areas had not been part of the EVCI criteria.  The Board was informed that the key objectives were focused on Council owned car parks and land.

The Chairman concluded discussions on the topic and requested that the Board be provided with the specifics of the revenue share arrangement in place with the current contractor.  In addition, the Chairman expressed disappointment that, unlike in other areas, the Council would not be in receipt of an immediate revenue income.  In response it was explained that the arrangement was part of the contract Terms and Conditions agreement, however, it was agreed that the matter would be discussed with the contractor.

RESOLVED that the update on the Installation of EV Chargers be noted.</AI9>

Members received a report requesting for the Chairman and Members to be appointed to the Finance and Budget Working Group for the 2025/26 municipal year.

It was noted that the Chairman of the Group had traditionally been the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board. Members agreed that this arrangement should continue for 2025/26.  It was explained that as per the terms of reference, the Working Group would comprise seven members which would include the Chairman of the Audit, Standards and Governance Committee, once appointed, and six Overview and Scrutiny Members.  Priority would be given to appointing Overview and Scrutiny Board members to the group, in line with the terms of reference, but membership could be offered to other scrutiny pool members should there be any vacancies.

Members that expressed an interest in joining the group were Councillors S. Ammar, R.J. Hunter, S.T. Nock and P.M. McDonald.  The Board noted that Councillor C.A. Hotham also expressed an interest, should there be a relevant vacancy available.

RESOLVEDthat

a)    Councillor P. McDonald be appointed as the Chairman of the Finance and Budget Working Group for the ensuing municipal year 2025/26;

b)    Councillors S. Ammar, R. J. Hunter, P. McDonald and S. T Nock be appointed as Members of the Finance and Budget Scrutiny Working Group for the municipal year 2025/26;

c)    Overview and Scrutiny Board Members not in attendance at this meeting of the Board to be contacted regarding their potential interest in being appointed as members of the Finance and Budget Working Group in 2025/26; and

d)    The Terms of Reference for the Finance and Budget Working be approved.

Councillor B. Kumar was nominated to become the Council’s representative on the Worcestershire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) for the municipal year 2025/26. 

Members were informed that Councillor K. May had been appointed as by Worcestershire County Council as the Chairman of the HOSC for 2025/26.  The Board was informed that the next meeting would be held in July 2025 with discussions to be reported back at the July Board meeting.

RESOLVEDthat Councillor B. Kumar be appointed as the Council’s representative on the Worcestershire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2025/26 municipal year.</AI5>

An update on the Housing Task Group was provided to the Board on behalf of the Chairman.  It was explained that the group’s recommendations were in the process of being finalised and delays to the group’s draft report had been largely caused by the summer recess.  However, the Chairman was satisfied to proceed, finalise and present findings in the Autumn, upon the end of recess.

RESOLVED that Housing Task Group update be noted as per the preamble above.

The Cabinet Work Programme was presented for Members’ consideration.  Members were informed of additional items to the Cabinet Work Programme that had been added since the last meeting, which were as follows:

• Bromsgrove Town Centre Strategic Framework which was going to Cabinet on 23^rd July 2025.  It was explained that this item had been added to Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme for 22^nd July 2025.

• Windsor Street Site which was going to Cabinet on 23rd July 2025.

Members sought clarification as to why the Medium-Term Financial Plan Tranche 1 Budget Report 2026/27 had appeared twice on the Cabinet Work Programme.  An explanation was provided to the Board by the Deputy Chief Executive, which highlighted that the budget would be reported in two tranches and there would be consultation on the first tranche prior to determination by Council.

RESOLVED that the content of the Cabinet Work Programme be noted as per the preamble above.

</AI8>

<AI9>

The Overview and Scrutiny Board Work Programme was considered by Members.

The following items were requested for addition to the Board’s work programme as follows:

• The Windsor Street Site for pre-scrutiny prior to Cabinet on 23rd July 2025.
• An overview of the work of Citizens Advice to explain the uses of grant funding.
• Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (BDHT) to be invited to attend a meeting to deliver a presentation on the services provided within the District.

It was agreed that the items would be added to the Board’s work programme accordingly.

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme be noted as per the preamble above.

The Overview and Scrutiny Action Sheet was considered by the Board. 

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Board Action sheet be noted.

There was no urgent business for consideration.</AI15>