Decision details

The Committee gave further consideration to the development of the Council’s scrutiny function. Members were reminded that at its first meeting, the Committee had considered a paper on Key Issues for Scrutiny within the New Council.  The paper had posed a number of questions designed to assist the Committee in building a robust and responsive operational framework for Scrutiny within the Authority.  The key points were set out in the Appendix to the report and were discussed in detail by the Committee.  It was noted that some of the points had been discussed informally at the earlier Induction Event.  During the discussion the following matters were raised:-

• Consideration might be given to the development of a Scrutiny newsletter/Press Release.
• The third of the proposed Key objectives in the Appendix should be amended to read: “…whilst improving service quality”.
• Members suggested there was merit in arranging to spend time with each Partner to build links with them very early on. Members requested that a list of key Bodies and major partners be submitted to the next meeting.
• There may be pan Cheshire issues that will require scrutiny to be shared with adjoining Councils.
• Performance reporting to scrutiny should be on a 6 or 12 monthly basis and individual Portfolio holders should be invited to attend Scrutiny meetings where Performance reporting was on the agenda to answer prepared questions and to give them the opportunity to set out the biggest challenges/issues facing them.

RESOLVED

1.      to agree in principle to the framework for Scrutiny being developed as set out in the Appendix (subject to the changes referred to above) and to commission further work as appropriate; and

2.      an opportunity be provided at the next meeting to enable Members to discuss how to operate the Scrutiny function and the procedural rules/protocol for dealing with witnesses including Cabinet Portfolio holders.