Scrutiny Programme Committee

The Scrutiny Programme Committee was due to meet on 13 October 2026. The minutes have not been published, so this summary sets out what the committee was asked to consider, not what it decided. The main items were a follow-up on the drugs commission report, a progress report from a scrutiny panel, changes to panel membership, scrutiny letters, the work programme and a proposal to exclude the public from a confidential item.

1. Follow-up on the independent drugs commission report

   Proposed

   The report recommends that councillors consider and comment on progress against the 24 recommendations, note how they fit the Drug and Alcohol Strategy and Delivery Plan 2026-2029, and identify any matters needing further assurance.

   Why

   The Turning the Tide report of the Independent Drugs Commission made 24 recommendations for system-wide change in Neath Port Talbot and Swansea. The Drug and Alcohol Leadership Board (DALB) reports that the Alliance commissioning model and the Verve integrated service began on 1 June 2026. The report says demand and waiting times remain significant, and that the next step is to show the new arrangements are reducing waits. A committee letter of 17 November 2025, signed by Councillor Mike White, asked for a progress report in 12 months.

   Based on the minutes, 06 - Turning the Tide Update Report Oct 26, 06B - Letter to Cllr Anthony - Western Bay Drugs Commission Report (14 Oct SPC)

2. Service Improvement, Regeneration and Finance panel progress report

   Proposed

   The report asks councillors to be aware of the panel's work, consider its effectiveness and impact, and consider any issues and action required. It makes no formal recommendation.

   Why

   The panel met six times from March to September 2026 and looked at financial, performance and regeneration items. It sent 11 letters to Cabinet Members. It asked for a further Palace Theatre update in 12 months, after the cost rose from about £7 million to £17.1 million. It also asked for further updates on the Copr Bay car park and the Arena, and it agreed that equal pay should be considered in a closed session later. The panel noted recycling at 71.7%, above the 70% statutory target.

   Based on the minutes, 07 - Scrutiny Performance Panel Progress Report, 07A - SIRF Update to SPC Oct 26

3. Changes to scrutiny panel and working group membership

   Proposed

   The report recommends that the committee agree the membership changes: remove Councillor Jess Pritchard from the Climate Change & Nature Performance Panel; add Councillor Brigitte Rowlands to the Highways Maintenance Working Group; and agree the membership of the Digital Services Working Group, which has eight interested councillors. A convener for that group is still to be agreed.

   Why

   The guiding principles say each panel and working group needs more than one political group, must be a manageable size, and must have at least three members at every meeting. The Digital Services group so far has three Labour and five Liberal Democrat or Independent councillors. An Integrated Impact Assessment screening found no adverse implications.

   Based on the minutes, 08 - Membership of Scrutiny Panels & Working Groups

4. Scrutiny letters and responses log

   Proposed

   The report asks councillors to review the scrutiny letters and responses, and to make any comments, observations or recommendations they think necessary.

   Why

   Scrutiny letters let committees and panels send views to Cabinet Members soon after meetings. Cabinet Members are expected to reply within 21 days where a reply is asked for. The log shows an average response time of 16 days this year, with 75% answered on time. The committee's letter to Councillor Alyson Anthony on the proposed Public Space Protection Order asks Cabinet to monitor whether anti-social behaviour moves into nearby areas, and to involve the Pride in Place arrangements. It says no formal reply is needed unless the report changes materially.

   Based on the minutes, 09 - Scrutiny Letters, 09A - Scrutiny Letters Log, 09Ai - Letter to Cllr Anthony - Pre-decision Scrutiny PSPO Scheme (15 Sep SPC)

5. 2026-27 Scrutiny Work Programme and forward plan

   Proposed

   The report asks councillors to plan the committee's future meetings, look for chances to carry out pre-decision scrutiny of Cabinet business, and review the work programme, including its panels and working groups.

   Why

   The committee agreed the 2026-27 programme on 14 July 2026. Pre-decision scrutiny means examining a proposed Cabinet decision before it is taken. Call-in is a process where councillors can ask for a decision to be looked at again. The next committee meeting on 17 November will consider homelessness, including Audit Wales recommendations on temporary accommodation, and will hold a scrutiny session with the chair of the Public Services Board. The Cost of Living inquiry expects a final report around February or March 2027. The Taxi Services working group is complete. Business Support met on 8 October, and the Highways Maintenance and Digital Services groups have dates still to be confirmed.

   Based on the minutes, 10 - Scrutiny Work Programme, 10A - AGREED Scrutiny Work Programme 2026-27, 10Di - Work Programme Timetable 2026-27, 10Dii - Progress - Scrutiny Panels, Working Group, Regional Scrutiny

6. Dates of upcoming panel, working group and committee meetings

   Why

   The report lists the next meetings: the Education Performance Panel on 22 October; the Service Improvement, Regeneration and Finance Panel on 3 November; the Climate Change & Nature Panel on 10 November; the Child & Family Services Panel on 10 November; and this committee on 17 November.

   Based on the minutes, 11 - Date & Time of Scrutiny Meetings

7. Exclusion of the public from a confidential item

   Proposed

   The report recommends that the public be excluded during a confidential item, because it is likely to involve disclosure of exempt information under paragraph 14 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, which covers the financial or business affairs of any person, including the council.

   Why

   Exempt information is information the law allows a council to keep private, where the public interest in keeping it private outweighs the public interest in releasing it. The Monitoring Officer's view is that a third party's right to privacy, and the need to avoid giving tenderers an unfair advantage, outweigh the public interest in disclosure. The report refers to a further item numbered 13, which is not among the papers provided.

   Based on the minutes, 12 - Exclusion Report

Written by AI from the reports on the agenda, before the minutes are published. Reports say what council officers recommend; the meeting can decide differently. Once the minutes are out, this becomes a summary of what was decided.

1. 2

   Disclosures of Personal & Prejudicial Interest.

2. 3

   Prohibition of Whipped Votes and Declaration of Party Whips.

3. 4

   Minutes.

   Papers: Mins - SPC - 15 Sept 2026 (Cleared)
4. 5

   Public Question Time.

5. 6

   Follow Up - Independent Drugs Commission Report (Neath Port Talbot & Swansea Drug and Alcohol Leadership Board).

   Papers: 06 - Turning the Tide Update Report Oct 26, 06A - Drug & Alcohol Strategy 2026-2029, 06B - Letter to Cllr Anthony - Western Bay Drugs Commission Report (14 Oct SPC)
6. 7

   Scrutiny Performance Panel Progress Report: Service Improvement, Regeneration & Finance (Councillor Chris Holley, Convener).

   Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings

   Papers: 07 - Scrutiny Performance Panel Progress Report, 07A - SIRF Update to SPC Oct 26
7. 8

   Membership of Scrutiny Panels and Working Groups.

   Part of an issue followed across 10 meetings

   Papers: 08 - Membership of Scrutiny Panels & Working Groups
8. 9

   Scrutiny Letters.

   Papers: 09 - Scrutiny Letters, 09A - Scrutiny Letters Log, 09Ai - Letter to Cllr Anthony - Pre-decision Scrutiny PSPO Scheme (15 Sep SPC)
9. 10

   Scrutiny Work Programme.

   Papers: 10 - Scrutiny Work Programme, 10A - AGREED Scrutiny Work Programme 2026-27, 10B - Committee Work Plan 2026-27, 10Di - Work Programme Timetable 2026-27, 10Dii - Progress - Scrutiny Panels, Working Group, Regional Scrutiny
10. 11

    Date and Time of Upcoming Panel / Working Group Meetings.

    Part of an issue followed across 10 meetings

    Papers: 11 - Date & Time of Scrutiny Meetings
11. 12

    Exclusion of the Public.

    Papers: 12 - Exclusion Report

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.

• Peter Black CBE, ChairLiberal DemocratPresent
• Adam Davis, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Chris Holley OBE, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent
• Jess Pritchard, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Lyndon Jones MBE, Councillor Co-opteeConservativePresent
• Mark Tribe, Councillor Co-opteeConservativePresent
• Mary Jones, Councillor Co-opteeLiberal DemocratPresent
• Matthew Jones, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Mike White, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Peter May, Councillor Co-opteeUplandsPresent
• Sam Pritchard, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Susan Jones, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Victoria Holland, Committee MemberLabourAbsent
• Wendy Lewis, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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