Councillor Lynsey Hedges

Agenda

The Grants Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee met to discuss grant funding for community organisations. The committee reviewed and approved recommendations for the fourth round of the Borough of Sanctuary Community Fund, allocating funds to projects supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Additionally, the committee noted the report on the Victory in Europe (VE) Day 80th Anniversary Grant Fund, which had already awarded grants to community organisations for VE Day celebrations.

Agenda

The Audit Committee noted a report on an investigation into a complaint made to the Housing Ombudsman, a report on a review of the Council's use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, a fraud update, and an update on the 2022-23 and 2023-24 external audits. The Committee approved the Internal Audit Charter, Strategy and Plan for 2025/26 and noted the five-year strategic plan.

Agenda and draft minutes

The meeting approved the Council’s budget, including a council tax freeze for the third year in a row. The meeting also approved a package of reforms to the Council’s constitution, including new rules about which decisions are treated as “key decisions” and a new process for scrutinising Cabinet decisions.

Agenda

The council approved the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget and Rent Setting 2025/26 and a number of amendments to the Council's Standing Orders, following the walkout of all Conservative Councillors after the refusal of a motion to bring forward a debate on the possible closure of Bradstow School. The council also noted a number of supplementary items.

Agenda

The committee noted the Democracy Review Progress Report and agreed to two amendments to the Council's Standing Orders. The first amendment limits Councillors to asking just the first supplementary question after their original question in Council meetings, and the second amendment removes Councillors' ability to 'call-in' planning decisions for further scrutiny by the full Council.