Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

Members also asked for a follow-up on an action that had not been updated.

1. Decided

   The Committee referred the petition to the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Waste and Recycling, to be considered with the wider allotment consultation feedback. It asked that the petition be considered with the utmost seriousness, given the number of signatures.

   Why

   It cites loss of green space used for play and dog walking, traffic and parking, drainage and flooding, the look of the site, and possible harm to wildlife. Early analysis of the consultation shows most responses oppose allotments on this site, mainly over traffic, parking and loss of green space.

   Based on the minutes, Item 4 - CR - Petition, Item 4.1 - Petition

2. Corporate Safeguarding Annual Report 2025-26

   Decided

   The Committee asked to see the White Ribbon action plan. It asked for a breakdown of staff by service area and seniority level, with outstanding training, and recommended that this be included in future reports. It asked that questions on education be sent to the Head of Education, and recommended inviting the Head of Education to future meetings.

   Why

   Corporate safeguarding means the council's duty to protect children and adults at risk across all its services, and this is the ninth review of the annual report. The report says referrals to children's and adults' services kept rising in 2025-26, and that Newport has an action plan for 25 recommendations from a North Wales child practice review. A Corporate Safeguarding Board, chaired by the Strategic Director for Social Services, oversees the work.

   Based on the minutes, Item 5 - CR - Safeguarding, Item 5.1- 25-26 Annual Corporate Safeguarding Report v1

3. Anti-Poverty Strategy Annual Report 2025-26

   Decided

   The Committee recommended that LIFT information letters be sent with council tax bills, to reassure residents that they are not a scam and to raise awareness. It also recommended that the service area look at ways to improve how it tells residents what support is available.

   Why

   The report is the first annual performance report on the Anti-Poverty Strategy, which Council agreed in July 2025. It reports progress under three themes: prevention, support and pathways out of poverty. The minute does not explain what LIFT is.

   Based on the minutes, Item 6 - CR - APR, Item 6.1 - Anti Poverty Annual Report 2025-26

4. Scrutiny Adviser reports: actions, work programme and outcomes

   Decided

   The Committee raised concern about one action that has gone on for some time without an update. It asked the Head of Service to attend the next meeting to give an update, if no response is received before then.

   Why

   The Scrutiny Adviser said all actions but one are complete, and that no outcomes are outstanding. The next meeting, on 3 September 2026, will start at 11am to allow for the Red Ensign flag raising ceremony at the Civic Centre.

   Based on the minutes

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   Councillor M Evans declared an interest in Item 4 as a family member lives on Groes Road..

2. 3

   Minutes of the Previous Meeting

   Minute

   The minutes of the meeting held 11 June 2026 were agreed as a true and accurate record. The Committee requested that the wording on the minutes under ‘Actions Arising’ to be strengthened. The Scrutiny Adviser confirmed that they would make the amendments.

   Papers: Item 3 - Minutes
3. 4

   Consideration of Petition

   Minute

   The Lead Petitioner provided an overview of the Petition to the Committee. Members discussed and questioned the Lead Petitioner on the content of the Petition. Recommendation: The Committee referred the petition to the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Waste and Recycling to be considered with the wider allotment consultation feedback. The Committee wished to emphasise the importance of the petition and recommended that this is considered with the upmost seriousness, as a reflection of the number of signatories.

   Papers: Item 4 - CR - Petition, Item 4.1 - Petition
4. 5

   Corporate Safeguarding Annual Report 2025-26

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

• M Evans: Interest on Consideration of Petition

  A family member lives on Groes Road.

• Phil Hourahine, ChairLabourPresent
• Bev Davies, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Debbie Jenkins, Cabinet MemberLabourPresent
• John Harris, Committee MemberLabourAbsent
• John Reynolds, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Lauren James, Committee MemberGreenPresent
• Malcolm Linton, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Matthew Evans MBE, Committee MemberConservativePresent