Scrutiny Training A range of training sessions were provided to Both Member and officer training Investing in Member development Members on: sessions were well attended and and officer training delivers a vital, Delivered a bespoke Scrutiny feedback indicates attendees yet intangible, return on investment Development Programme for The Scrutiny Challenge found the sessions very useful. through more effective scrutiny. Members to provide them with core Scrutinising Performance The WAO peer evaluation on Financial Scrutiny The addition of officer training scrutiny completed on 29th May competency skills to perform the Scrutiny Member role effectively. Effective presentations and questioning during 2015-16 has improved the 2014 evidenced our “comprehensive strategies in a Modern Council Environment quality of reports being produced training programme” for scrutiny for scrutiny. and study observations of scrutiny Ensured senior officers understood An additional session was provided to Senior meetings reflected “excellent the role of scrutiny and the need to Management Team (recommended by Members): There has been a marked questioning skills by Members” and respond effectively to scrutiny improvement in Member’s chairing”. “effective requests through concise and The Scrutiny Opportunity / Raising the Bar in questioning and their analysis of balanced reporting. Scrutiny performance and financial The WAO Corporate Assessment information. 2015 evidences that Members are The Children and Young People’s Directorate also clearly supported, the report stating received training on Political Report Writing. A that range of guidance and “a guidance note on political report writing was training is made available to produced as a specific outcome of the training. Members. An area where this is clearly demonstrated is in relation to the scrutiny function. Select Committee Members say they are well supported by training opportunities but that take-up is low. Extensive training is provided for scrutiny members, which is organised and co-ordinated by the Scrutiny Manager”.
Scrutiny Training Delivered a bespoke Scrutiny Development Programme for Members to provide them with core competency skills to perform the Scrutiny Member role effectively. Ensured senior officers understood the role of scrutiny and the need to respond effectively to scrutiny requests through concise and balanced reporting. A range of training sessions were provided to Members on: The Scrutiny Challenge Scrutinising Performance Financial Scrutiny Effective presentations and questioning strategies in a Modern Council Environment An additional session was provided to Senior Management Team (recommended by Members): The Scrutiny Opportunity / Raising the Bar in Scrutiny The Children and Young People’s Directorate also received training on Political Report Writing. A guidance note on political report writing was produced as a specific outcome of the training. Both Member and officer training sessions were well attended and feedback indicates attendees found the sessions very useful. The addition of officer training during 2015-16 has improved the quality of reports being produced for scrutiny. There has been a marked improvement in Member’s questioning and their analysis of performance and financial information. Investing in Member development and officer training delivers a vital, yet intangible, return on investment through more effective scrutiny. The WAO peer evaluation on scrutiny completed on 29th May 2014 evidenced our “comprehensive training programme” for scrutiny and study observations of scrutiny meetings reflected “excellent questioning skills by Members” and “effective chairing”. The WAO Corporate Assessment 2015 evidences that Members are clearly supported, the report stating that “a range of guidance and training is made available to Members. An area where this is clearly demonstrated is in relation to the scrutiny function. Select Committee Members say they are well supported by training opportunities but that take-up is low. Extensive training is provided for scrutiny members, which is organised and co-ordinated by the Scrutiny Manager”.
Service-Plan-for-Scrutiny-2016-2017-Quarter-1-Updated.docx