home - committee - volume - faq's - help -search - meeting - previous - next

V28-97 : CHOICE OF SCRUTINY TOPICS

The report of the Chief Executive advised members that in addition to the fixed programme of work above, the Panel's role involved selecting topics it wished to examine to meet it's remit. These included: to challenge the way the Council worked and to improve delivery of policy and services; to examine overall performance and implementation of policies; to watch over the work of the Executive; and to be the Council's Standards Panel.

There were no blueprints for performing the role and the Panel was responsible for developing its own way forward. To commence this the Panel went into a brain storming session to consider how topics would come to the Panel's attention, and what criteria to apply to choosing which topics to pursue. As a background document, members had considered a copy of the Local Government Network Report `Developing your Council's Scrutiny Role' by Sue Charter is and Professor Paul Corrigan.

Two facets were considered, (a) how topics would come to the Panel's attention, and (b) what criteria would apply in chosing which topics to pursue. In respect of (a), members listed: Scrutiny Commission; Not just as a dumping ground, therefore send unnecessary reports back; Topics direct from Members; Visits to other authorities; Training; Topics from the Panel; Small groups for specific items; Ad-hoc panel calling in other members; Commissions from Council, Panels, The Executive, the public, the media; Letters and complaints procedure; Performance; Ombudsman's reports; All Officers and Members have a role; Employee related monitoring; Risk Management and Security; How will decisions be made; How will progress be monitored; and Inclusion of minority views.

In respect of (b), members listed: Prioritising criteria; Use uPVC Policy points scoring system as `model'; Smaller numbers so everyone can be heard; Avoid `single issue' pressures; Equal consideration; Assess significance; Realise limitation to address resolvable issues only, do not be afraid to admit it cannot be done; Urgency; `Independent' advice; Programming and timeliness; Share out Panel papers to consider; and Initially circulate all papers

RESOLVED

That the officers develop ideas produced in the brain storming session for report at the next meeting.


Volume 28 Minute 97

powered by Oultwood Web Technology

© Waveney District Council