Actions plans are produced out of each scrutiny study and monitored by ASC. WAO Annual Improvement Report issued April 2013 noted this new innovative approach that ‘ greatly strengthens the Authority’s approach to scrutinising its performance and to help identify areas for improvement.’ Documenting decisions Decision and Action Tracking Decisions and actions monitored Challenge from the Authority and No evidence to suggest process are systems for NPA, ASC and by CMT and ASC at each of their its committees if decisions not not working, and Deloitte internal PAROW Decisions from each meetings, and Directors held to implemented audit report on corporate – meeting published on Members account if actions not completed Items recurring on Decision and governance gave a assurance’ – ‘full Portal to keep all members all in public domain on agendas Action reports to ASC officers – informed of decisions are called to account for these All agendas published on the Complaints from public 4 clear working days Inability to provide information website before each meeting which include requests Freedom of minutes of the last meeting Information Act Decision making complies with Training is provided for members Monitoring Officer and/or Solicitor or financial challenge Member on Member complaints will Code of Conduct on declarations of interest. available at all meetings to give Complaints to the Authority now go to the Standards Committee Standing item on all agendas, and a advice to individual members or Complaints to the Ombudsman under the new Local Resolution form to record all declarations is the membership as a whole Protocol approved at the NPA on 3 circulated at each meeting May 2013. together with guidance. Forms filed with attendance sheets, recorded on member database and in the minutes. New protocols agreed in 2013 regarding blanket dispensations, local resolution and dispensations for members in relation to their appointing authorities A Complaints Process is in place Complaints Policy and Audit and Scrutiny Committee Complaints of delay in processing Review process in response to and actively used by the public downloadable forms on the monitor complaints at each complaints or increase in complaints as required website and hard copies on meeting and challenge any delays in complaints. request. Complaints are dealt addressing complaints 2012/13 increase in complaints – with in a timely, efficient and to 40 (21 last year) but all but 3 effective way processed within target time and all but one closed (one ongoing)
Actions plans are produced out of each scrutiny study and monitored by ASC. WAO Annual Improvement Report issued April 2013 noted this ‘ new innovative approach that greatly strengthens the Authority’s approach to scrutinising its performance and to help identify areas for improvement.’ Documenting decisions Decision and Action Tracking systems for NPA, ASC and PAROW – Decisions from each meeting published on Members Portal to keep all members informed of decisions All agendas published on the website 4 clear working days before each meeting which include minutes of the last meeting Decisions and actions monitored by CMT and ASC at each of their meetings, and Directors held to account if actions not completed – all in public domain on agendas Challenge from the Authority and its committees if decisions not implemented Items recurring on Decision and Action reports to ASC – officers are called to account for these Complaints from public Inability to provide information requests Freedom of Information Act No evidence to suggest process are not working, and Deloitte internal audit report on corporate governance gave a ‘full assurance’ Decision making complies with Code of Conduct Training is provided for members on declarations of interest. Standing item on all agendas, and a form to record all declarations is circulated at each meeting together with guidance. Forms filed with attendance sheets, recorded on member database and in the minutes. New protocols agreed in 2013 regarding blanket dispensations, local resolution and dispensations for members in relation to their appointing authorities Monitoring Officer and/or Solicitor available at all meetings to give advice to individual members or the membership as a whole or financial challenge Complaints to the Authority Complaints to the Ombudsman Member on Member complaints will now go to the Standards Committee under the new Local Resolution Protocol approved at the NPA on 3 May 2013. A Complaints Process is in place and actively used by the public Complaints Policy and downloadable forms on the website and hard copies on request. Complaints are dealt with in a timely, efficient and effective way Audit and Scrutiny Committee monitor complaints at each meeting and challenge any delays in addressing complaints Complaints of delay in processing complaints or increase in complaints. 2012/13 – increase in complaints to 40 (21 last year) but all but 3 processed within target time and all but one closed (one ongoing) Review process in response to complaints as required
SOA-1213-FINAL-1.docx