Content

Councillor Bob Filmer proposed
the recommendations which were second by Councillor Leigh
Redman.
 
Having been duly proposed and
seconded, the Council RESOLVED to approve that:-

1)    
The current structure of 5 scrutiny committees to
remain in place, with a further scrutiny review to be conducted by
the scrutiny chairs in late 2024/early 2025 following any potential
service restructure.

2)   
The scrutiny manager was tasked with preparing a
revised and improved scrutiny report template, which enabled
clearer and more concise presentation of reports, a standard
consistency of reports across all 5 scrutiny committees, a clearer
link between committee recommendations onto the Executive/Executive
Member(s) and ensuring service areas clearly demonstrated where
scrutiny was able to add value.

3)   
That all 5 scrutiny committees adopted a consistent
approach to dealing with information only items, in order that
agendas were kept clear for items with specific recommendations and
the opportunity for the committees to add value. This information
also to include details of any delegated decisions the scrutiny
chair had been consulted on.

4)   
To bolster the links between all 5 scrutiny
committees and the Executive by ensuring clear communication
between the parties and encourage increased opportunities for
committee chairs to update the Executive on areas of focus and
present any recommendations/proposals the committee have agreed.
Also for the Democratic Services team to establish a central record
of all formal scrutiny recommendations and the responses to
them.

5)   
The scrutiny manager to liaise with the 5 Group
Leaders in advance of the AGM Council meeting (May 2024) in order
to provide detailed attendance information on each of the
Committee’s membership, to ensure committee membership and
substitutes reflected maximum engagement and
consistency.

6)   
The scrutiny manager to liaise with the 5 Group
Leaders to ensure a consistent, timely and wherever possible
consistent approach to scrutiny substitutes.

7)    
Elected committee membership to remain as 13
individual members.

8)   
To continue with the monthly meetings of the 5
Scrutiny Chairs, Vice Chairs and scrutiny manager.

9)   
To continue with the model of an Executive Director
aligned to each Committee as the lead service officer and to
encourage continued attendance from all relevant Executive
Members.

10)To
support the continuation of a dedicated scrutiny resource from the
Democratic Services team, to allow for more effective and efficient
scrutiny and increase scrutiny opportunities, whilst ensuring
resilience within the officer cohort.