Leading scrutiny critical in driving scrutiny relation to the scrutiny and peer improvement with newly elected function”. observation exercises, members, the key premise being to drawing conclusions on the ensure that the necessary support contributes to better “This performance of the is in place to support future elected processes underpinning the function. members. The Self Evaluation also scrutiny function”. entailed a survey of members and In particular, the Scrutiny officers, in order to provide a more Council is proactive at “The Chairs Group were holistic evidence base. working collaboratively with a instrumental in driving the range of stakeholders and following improvements The Scrutiny Self-Evaluation partners and is improving through 2016-17: Findings Report 2017 concluded accountability and scrutiny that the council has fit for purpose arrangements”. Forward work programmes scrutiny processes in place and that are publicly accessible on the environment in which scrutiny The self-evaluation and peer website. operates is culturally conducive to observation reports are Reduced agenda size effective scrutiny, with protocols available as separate reports to Special meetings to manage underpinning the executive and the service plan, however, key workload scrutiny relationship. positives / for improvement Pre-meetings established evidenced by the peer review Improved the quality, The report provides a series of key team (external observers) have timeliness, relevance of findings and improvement actions been identified for further focus information being brought which fall within the following in 2018: to scrutiny broad categories: Focussed scrutiny approach Positives Produced a Scrutiny Member Development Sense that value is placed on Handbook Officer Training the role of scrutiny by the Implemented a Scrutiny and Improving scrutiny practice council. Executive Protocol Developing effective public Pre-meetings establish Developed a scrutiny engagement mechanisms individual questions / areas of website challenge. A Self-Evaluation Action Plan 2018 The Self-Evaluation of 2017 has been developed for Clear work programmes in reflects that the function is implementation during 2018-19 in place, agenda owned by progressing well against the conjunction with the new Scrutiny scrutiny members. of good Chairs Group. Well briefed members, asking ‘characteristics scrutiny’ is the benchmark useful and challenging for scrutiny practice. The questions. scrutiny chairs concluded that significant progress had been Fairly effective chairing, made during the 5 year period. respectful behaviour between members, positive relationship The group has also played a with officers. fundamental role in agreeing the direction and focus of Opportunities for the public to scrutiny development for take part, members taking using their own experiences their views into account. to develop improvement Meeting webcast ~ positive for actions. public engagement.
Leading scrutiny and peer observation exercises, drawing conclusions on the performance of the function. In particular, the Scrutiny Chairs Group were instrumental in driving the following improvements through 2016-17: Forward work programmes are publicly accessible on website. Reduced agenda size Special meetings to manage workload Pre-meetings established Improved the quality, timeliness, relevance of information being brought to scrutiny Focussed scrutiny approach Produced a Scrutiny Handbook Implemented a Scrutiny and Executive Protocol Developed a scrutiny website The Self-Evaluation of 2017 reflects that the function is progressing well against the ‘characteristics of good scrutiny’ is the benchmark for scrutiny practice. The scrutiny chairs concluded that significant progress had been made during the 5 year period. The group has also played a fundamental role in agreeing the direction and focus of scrutiny development for using their own experiences to develop improvement actions. critical in driving scrutiny improvement with newly elected members, the key premise being to ensure that the necessary support is in place to support future elected members. The Self Evaluation also entailed a survey of members and officers, in order to provide a more holistic evidence base. The Scrutiny Self-Evaluation Findings Report 2017 concluded that the council has fit for purpose scrutiny processes in place and that the environment in which scrutiny operates is culturally conducive to effective scrutiny, with protocols underpinning the executive and scrutiny relationship. The report provides a series of key findings and improvement actions which fall within the following broad categories: Member Development Officer Training Improving scrutiny practice Developing effective public engagement mechanisms A Self-Evaluation Action Plan 2018 has been developed for implementation during 2018-19 in conjunction with the new Scrutiny Chairs Group. relation to the scrutiny function”. “This contributes to better processes underpinning the scrutiny function”. “The Council is proactive at working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders and partners and is improving accountability and scrutiny arrangements”. The self-evaluation and peer observation reports are available as separate reports to the service plan, however, key positives / for improvement evidenced by the peer review team (external observers) have been identified for further focus in 2018: Positives Sense that value is placed on the role of scrutiny by the council. Pre-meetings establish individual questions / areas of challenge. Clear work programmes in place, agenda owned by scrutiny members. Well briefed members, asking useful and challenging questions. Fairly effective chairing, respectful behaviour between members, positive relationship with officers. Opportunities for the public to take part, members taking their views into account. Meeting webcast ~ positive for public engagement.
Scrutiny-Service-Plan-2018-21-Quarter-1.docx