The Performance & Corporate Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Friday 17 April 2026 was set to review updates on the Customer Service Centre, devolution progress, and the proposed Community Asset Transfer and Community Leasing policies. The committee was also scheduled to consider the Business Management and Monitoring Report with a focus on Adult Social Care.

Customer Service Centre Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Customer Service Centre, including its current performance, staffing, and structure. The report was expected to detail the impact of recent service redesign and digital transformation activities, such as the implementation of AI-enabled tools like web and voice bots. These changes aim to improve customer access, manage demand, and increase efficiency. The report was also to provide an overview of the service's handling of complaints, with data on formal complaints received and upheld across various council services.

Devolution Update

An update on the Devolution Programme was scheduled, focusing on progress since December 2025. This included details on two Expressions of Interest (EOIs) submitted to the government regarding a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) and a Foundation Strategic Authority (FSA). The report was expected to outline the evolving national policy context and the Thames Valley partners' pragmatic approach to pursuing an MSA, potentially via an FSA as an initial stage. The update was also to cover engagement with government ministers and officials, partnership working across the Thames Valley, and the strategic case for devolution at a Thames Valley scale.

Community Asset Transfer and Community Leasing Policies

The committee was scheduled to review the proposed Community Asset Transfer (CAT) and Community Leasing policies. The CAT policy, replacing the 2019 version, aims to facilitate the transfer of ownership of council assets to community organisations at below market value to achieve public benefit. The Community Leasing policy establishes a framework for leasing council-owned assets to community organisations at below-best value, also to generate public benefit. Both policies outline eligibility criteria for applicant organisations and the assessment criteria that will be used to evaluate applications, with a focus on social value, support for council statutory services, proposed investment, financial sustainability, and community benefit. The establishment of a Community Asset Transfer and Community Leasing Working Group was also to be discussed.

Business Management and Monitoring Report (Adult Social Care Focus)

The committee was scheduled to consider an abridged version of the Business Management and Monitoring Report (BMMR), focusing on Adult Social Care. This report provides an overview of the council's performance in terms of finance, delivery, and strategic risks. For Adult Social Care, the report was expected to detail Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), with two out of seven identified as off track. The financial position indicated a forecast overspend of £7.5 million for 2025/26, with specific pressures noted in the Home First/Discharge to Assess service, care packages for under-65s with learning disabilities, and transport and external day services. The report was also to provide updates on the Capital Programme relating to Adult Services, including the Residential Accommodation Programme, Resonance Supported Homes Fund, and Disabled Facilities Grant.

Committee Action and Recommendation Tracker

The committee was scheduled to review the action and recommendation tracker, which monitors progress against agreed actions and recommendations from previous meetings.

Committee Forward Work Plan

The committee was scheduled to agree its work programme for forthcoming meetings. This included planned reviews of the Social Value policy within a year, and a Public Health equality report to return in December 2026. The committee was also to consider the inclusion of a representative from the Integrated Care Board (ICB) for the Adult Social Care focused BMMR item.

Responses to Scrutiny Recommendations

The committee was scheduled to note the Cabinet's responses to previous recommendations made by the committee. These responses covered various issues including the BMMR (CEF Focus and Public Health Focus), Budget Proposals for 2026/27 to 2030/31, Parking Permits, and the Draft Social Value Policy. The responses indicated whether recommendations were accepted, rejected, or partially accepted, along with proposed actions and timescales.