The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss and approve the proposed budget scrutiny programme for 2026-27 and to review and update the scrutiny work programme for 2025-26, adding topics for future review. The committee agreed to a two-day format for evidence gathering, supported new member training, and prioritised topics such as mobile phone bans in schools, Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) staffing, and a scrutiny review of infrastructure and sustainable transport.

Budget Scrutiny Programme 2026-27

The committee approved the proposed budget scrutiny programme for 2026-27, which includes a two-day evidence gathering period. This decision reverses the one-day format used in 2025, which was widely considered insufficient. The new programme aims to provide more time for in-depth examination of departmental budgets and the council's overall financial position.

Key elements of the approved programme:

• Cabinet Panel Deep Dives: Cabinet panels will conduct detailed reviews of their portfolio budgets in January and February. These reviews will examine costs, statutory requirements, and alternative service delivery options. The Head of Scrutiny will attend these meetings to summarise the discussions and recommendations.
• Two Evidence Gathering Days: The Overview and Scrutiny Committee will hold two evidence gathering days after the cabinet panel meetings. The first day will focus on reports from portfolio sessions, while the second day will address the wider budget, including the overall financial position, council tax strategy, and capital and investment strategies.
• Remote Sessions: Evidence gathering sessions are planned to be held remotely, allowing for easier participation and flexibility for members. However, the committee acknowledged that the upcoming move to Stevenage[^1] may require adjustments to this plan. [^1]: Stevenage is a town in Hertfordshire, England, about 29 miles north of London. It is the location of the Hertfordshire County Council's new headquarters.

Councillor Sandy Walkington, Vice-Chairman of the Council, supported the return to a two-day format, stating:

I utterly welcome going back to two days. I mean, I think last year was a hopeless scramble just doing it in one day, and I don't think two days is any more admin effort than one day, frankly.

Councillor Christopher Alley raised the need for support for new members, and the Head of Scrutiny agreed to look into providing training and webinars to help them prepare for the scrutiny process.

Scrutiny Work Programme 2025-26

The committee reviewed and updated the scrutiny work programme for 2025-26, adding and prioritising topics for future review.

Mobile Phone Bans in Schools

The committee agreed to discuss the effectiveness of mobile phone bans in Hertfordshire schools at its December 2025 meeting. Councillor Caroline Clapper, Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, emphasised the importance of this discussion, and it was agreed that inviting headteachers and representatives from Herts for Learning would be beneficial. Herts for Learning is a not-for-profit company owned by Hertfordshire schools that provides school improvement and business services.

HCC Staffing Update and Use of AI

The committee agreed to consider the HCC staffing update – performance and productivity item at its April 2026 meeting. It was suggested that pairing this topic with HCC's use of artificial intelligence (AI) in council services would be beneficial.

Infrastructure Delivery, Planning Enforcement and Sustainable Transport

The committee agreed to conduct a scrutiny review of infrastructure delivery, planning enforcement, and sustainable transport. This review will include a deeper look into sustainable transport, including buses and infrastructure investment, in light of changing government franchising rules. Councillor Penelope Hill, Vice-Chair of Scrutiny Committee; Chair Impact of Scrutiny Committee, suggested including how buses and trains connect within Hertfordshire. Councillor Alley raised concerns about the quality of bus services and the impact on residents.

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)

Concerns were raised about the Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) process, with members noting frequent complaints from residents. However, given a recent review by the Impact of Scrutiny Advisory Committee and an ongoing government review of special educational needs and disability (SEND) policy, the committee decided to postpone a decision on whether to add this topic to the work programme. The Head of Scrutiny will develop a proposal for future consideration once current inspection results are available.

Other potential topics

Other topics that were suggested for future review included:

• Failures in highway enforcement
• Sustainable transport
• The use of AI in council services