The Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Rutland County Council is scheduled to meet on 25 September 2025 to discuss the annual scrutiny report, performance and delivery, and revenue and capital forecasts. The committee will also review its work plan and receive a proposal for the LLR ICB Winter Health Plan 2025/26. Additionally, there will be a verbal update from the Food Waste Strategy Communication Working Group.

Annual Scrutiny Report

The committee is scheduled to receive Report No 95/2025 from Angela Wakefield, Strategic Director for Law and Governance, Rutland County Council, regarding the Annual Scrutiny Report 2024-2025. The report summarises the work undertaken by the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee during the 2024-2025 municipal year.

The report was written in consultation with Councillor Ramsay Ross and Councillor Lucy Stephenson, and it is recommended that the council notes the report and approves its publication.

The Annual Scrutiny Report includes:

• A foreword
• Reviews from Councillor Ramsay Ross and Councillor Lucy Stephenson
• An overview of scrutiny in Rutland
• Information about the work plan, groups and panels, and petitions
• Contact details
• Summaries of items considered, recommendations, and group/panel activity

Councillor Ramsay Ross's review mentions that three meetings were held with Healthwatch Rutland, attended by himself, Councillor Ray Payne, and Councillor Heckels, to better inform the committee on issues of public concern. He also notes that he and Councillor Payne provided evidence to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in connection with its audit of the council's adult social care provision.

Councillor Lucy Stephenson's review mentions that she asked all councillors what issues are raised most frequently by their communities, and that the majority of issues raised fell within the Places Directorate, such as parking, speeding and highways maintenance.

Performance and Delivery Report

The committee is scheduled to receive Report No 98/2025 from Angela Wakefield, Strategic Director for Law and Governance, and Claire McGrory, Interim Head of Corporate Services, Rutland County Council, regarding the 2025/26 Quarter 1 – Performance and Delivery Report. The report provides a summary of progress and performance for the first quarter of 2025-2026, covering April to June 2025.

The report recommends that the committee notes the progress of the council against the Corporate Strategy performance framework, including the reasons for those areas where performance is below target.

The performance framework is made up of 53 performance indicators, 12 of which are annual measures. Of the 41 quarterly measures, data is currently available for 37.

Some example indicators where performance is good include:

• Recycling rates reached 57.4%, outperforming the target of 53%.
• Street cleanliness performance is outstanding, with 94.1% of inspections rated Grade A or B for litter and detritus, far exceeding the target of 55%.
• Highways maintenance is also performing exceptionally well, with 99% of defects repaired within the expected timeframe.
• Planning services have achieved 100% on-time processing of applications.
• In Adult Social Care satisfaction levels of care users are notably high at 97%, which is 7 percentage points above the benchmark of 90%.
• Support for care leavers remains robust.

Some example indicators where performance is off target include:

• The current housing supply stands at 3.1 years against a target of 5 years.
• 20% of Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs) were issued within the statutory 20-week timeframe in Q1; against a 90% target.
• Performance in Q1 for children in need seen within timescales was 76%, below the 90% target.
• In Q1, 38 complaints were formally recorded, against an annual target of fewer than 65.

Revenue and Capital Forecast Report

The committee is scheduled to receive Report No 97/2025 from Kirsty Nutton, Strategic Director of Resources, Rutland County Council, regarding the 2025/26 Quarter 1 – Revenue and Capital Forecast Report. The report presents the Quarter 1 forecast outturn position for both the revenue budget and the capital programme for 2025/26.

The report recommends that the committee considers the contents of the report.

As of Quarter 1, the council is forecasting a net underspend of £0.6m (0.98%) against the total budget of £58.4m. This reflects prudent financial management across the directorates, with notable variances as follows:

• Adults & Health: forecasting an overspend of £0.8m or 4.2% of budget which is driven by an increased demand and service pressures.
• Places: reporting a significant underspend of £1.1m or 7.2% of budget. This variance is due to additional income across the directorate and service efficiencies in Highways & Transport.
• Children & Families: forecasting an overspend of £0.3m or 3.8% of budget, linked to service demand and placement costs.
• Resources show minor overspend of £31k each.
• For the Law & Governance and Resources directorates are forecasting underspends of £0.2m, or 4.67% budget, and £31k or 0.8% of budget respectively.
• Corporate Costs / Income: additional income of £0.5m or 24.6% of budget are forecast contributing positively to the overall position.

The capital position budget shows that the council are forecasting all projects in line with budget.

The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) position is largely as predicted at budget setting with a £3.8m deficit for the year forecast, taking the total deficit to £9.6m by the end of 2025/26.

The report also provides an update on the achievement of the 2025/26 savings proposals and transformation workstreams, and the position for the Medium-Term Financial Strategy following the spending review announcement and fair funding reform consultation.

LLR ICB Winter Health Plan 2025/26

The committee is scheduled to consider a proposal for the LLR ICB Winter Health Plan 2025/26. The proposal was submitted by Debra Mitchell, Assistant Director of Integration and Transformation, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (ICB).

The proposal requests that the committee reviews the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) planning for a resilient winter for 2025/26 across the LLR health and care system and ensure that the LLR's winter planning is focused on maintaining patient safety and system resilience.

Review of the Work Plan

The committee will consider the current Forward Plan, the Corporate Strategy Delivery Plan and the Contracts Register and identify any relevant items for inclusion in the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Work Plan or to request further information.

The Forward Plan is available on the council's website.

The Corporate Strategy Delivery Plan is available on the council's website.

The Contracts Register is available via the council's website.

Food Waste Strategy Communication Working Group

The committee is scheduled to receive a verbal update from the members of the Food Waste Strategy Communication Working Group. Rutland County Council has a legal requirement to introduce a separate, dedicated food waste collection, which is planned to start in March 2026.