Purpose

The Scrutiny function of the Council is an important part of the
governance arrangements of the Council and a key element of the
Councils arrangements to ensure continuous improvement and meet its
statutory best value duty. This report identifies areas for
improvement in the Council’s Scrutiny function and a set of
dedicated actions to address them. It calls for Cabinet to note,
endorse and or approve these actions. Some suggested ways forward
will need to be the subject of further discussion and approval by
the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Content

The Mayor noted and agreed the reasons for urgency
as set out in the report. The Mayor and Cabinet noted the
pre-decision scrutiny questions and responses as tabled.
 
DECISION
 
1.   
Note and endorse the improvements to training and support for
Members.
 
2.   
Note and endorse the approach taken to improve the effectiveness of
the role of Statutory Scrutiny Officer.
3.   
Note and agree the approach to be taken to improve the Overview and
Scrutiny support function
4.   
Note and endorse the officer actions to further enhance a positive
relationship between scrutiny and the Executive comprising
:
·           
a review of scrutiny procedures in relation to the recently
published good practice guides from the Centre for Public
Scrutiny
·           
the facilitation of a Scrutiny Protocol addressing issues such as
how Cabinet will engage with scrutiny recommendations at Cabinet
and establishing a process that supports a formal response to all
issues referred to Cabinet by overview and scrutiny including
recommendations, questions or calls for action.
·           
As part of the review of the constitution reviewing the Scrutiny
Procedures and the Scrutiny Toolkit set out in the Constitution,
simplifying where useful.
 
5.   
Note and endorse the actions to be taken to raise understanding and
awareness of officers of the role of scrutiny.
 
6.   
Note and endorse the proposals to increase the public profile and
understanding of the scrutiny function of the
council
 
7.   
Note the specific equalities considerations as
set out in Paragraph 6.1 of the report.
 
Action by
CHIEF EXECUTIVE (S. HALSEY)
Acting Deputy Director of Strategy, Improvement &
Transformation (R. Beattie)