The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee meeting on 19 November 2025 focused on reviewing the effectiveness of the council's performance indicators and the strategies of the Wiltshire Community Strategic Partnership. Key decisions included endorsing recommendations for improving Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and noting the ongoing work of the Community Safety Partnership.

Wiltshire Community Strategic Partnership (WCSP) Update

The committee received an update on the work of the Wiltshire Community Strategic Partnership (WCSP), which was established under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to develop strategies for tackling crime and disorder. Sarah Valdus, Director for Environment and Chair of the WCSP, and Natasha Gell, Community Safety Partnership Manager, presented the report. The WCSP has undergone a period of revival and renewal, focusing on establishing a strategic group, developing a three-year partnership plan, and analysing progress through an annual Strategic Assessment. Data sharing agreements are now in place, and a review of the plan will be completed in 2026. Strategic groups have been set up under the aims of protecting vulnerable people, reducing harm, and creating safer communities. The committee requested further data on homicides and suicides and discussed how different council departments contribute to safer communities. Concerns were raised about the adequacy of the current IT infrastructure for intelligence systems and whether the reporting process was designed around internal capacity rather than public need. The use of CCTV and the potential for Area Boards to increase public engagement were also discussed.

Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee agreed to note the update on the work of the Wiltshire Community Strategic Partnership, including efforts to improve systems for reporting anti-social behaviour, and to receive a further update in six months.

Report of the Corporate Scorecard Key Performance Indicator Rapid Scrutiny Exercise

A rapid scrutiny exercise was conducted to review the corporate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) outlined in Our Wiltshire Plan ^[1]. The exercise aimed to strengthen the link between the plan's commitments and the metrics used to monitor them, improve clarity on the KPI scorecard's purpose, ensure consistent application of KPI principles, expand the scope of KPIs to reflect the council's convening role, and make KPI language more accessible. The exercise identified concerns that the KPIs did not always clearly align with the commitments in Our Wiltshire Plan, that some KPIs were more like metrics than true performance measures, and that the language used was not always accessible to the public. The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Thorn, acknowledged the feedback and stated that a clear statement on the KPIs' purpose would be presented to Cabinet, and that further work would be done to ensure the KPIs are written in plain English. However, he indicated no immediate plans to amend the list of KPIs or expand their scope beyond those measuring activity within the council's direct control.

Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee agreed to endorse the findings and recommendations of the Rapid Scrutiny Exercise and to note the Leader and Deputy Leader's verbal responses. They also requested a written executive response to the findings and recommendations at the next meeting and to include consideration of the quarterly performance scorecard reports to Cabinet within the Committee's work programme. The Committee expressed disappointment at some of the Executive's responses, particularly regarding the limited linkage between KPIs and the commitments in Our Wiltshire Plan.

Notice of Motion No. 25-12: Ready to use Screenwash

Councillor Philip Whitehead and Councillor Christopher Williams put forward a motion requesting that the Leader of Wiltshire Council write to major retailers selling ready-to-use screenwash. The motion highlights the environmental impact of transporting water across the country in large plastic containers and advocates for retailers to offer concentrated screenwash, which consumers can dilute at home. Councillor Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council, agreed to write the letter, and the outcome would be reported back to Full Council.

Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee agreed to note the Leader's agreement to write the letter requested in the motion, and that the letter, along with the committee's findings, will be reported back to Full Council.

Notice of Motion No. 25-13: Trusted Billposter Scheme

This motion, proposed by Councillor Allison Bucknell and Councillor Jane Davies, seeks to introduce a Trusted Billposter scheme. The aim is to simplify the process for organisations like village fairs and travelling fairgrounds to advertise events by agreeing on a billposting/signage scheme with the Council. This would allow for repeated use by notification, with the removal of trusted rights if an organisation fails to comply. Councillor Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding, agreed to champion the issue through the Environment Select Committee, with a commitment to finding a conclusion by spring 2026, taking legal advice into account.

Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee agreed to ask the Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding to consider the motion further, with additional scrutiny to be led by the Environment Select Committee. They also noted that there will be further public promotion of the system for advertising local events.

Task Group Update

Updates were provided on two task groups:

• Stone Circle Task Group: The task group has been scrutinising the activity of the council's wholly-owned Stone Circle companies. A meeting with the Corporate Director for Resources focused on financial issues. The next meeting is planned for 2 December 2025.
• My Wilts App Task Group: This task group is reviewing the user experience of the MyWilts App to make recommendations for improvement. They have identified areas for enhancement and are discussing the feasibility and resources required for implementation with officers. The next meeting is scheduled for 25 November 2025.

Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee agreed to note the updates on task group activity.

Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered the forward work programmes for each select committee and received updates from their respective Chairs and Vice-Chairs. The Children's Select Committee is focusing on the Safety Valve Programme, the Families First Partnership Programme, and education outcomes. The Environment Select Committee is developing its forward work plan, with a focus on the Streetscene contract and the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) project. The Climate Emergency Task Group will be meeting to engage on climate delivery plans. The Finance & Procurement Select Committee will be scrutinising the budget. The Health Select Committee is planning to examine urgent care and winter pressures, and has received updates on the integrated community-based care contract. The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee itself will receive briefings on HR issues, including the recruitment freeze, and on contingency planning and emergency response.

Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee agreed to note the updates on select committee activity and approve the Overview and Scrutiny Forward Work Programme.