Issue - meetings

Review of Scrutiny by the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny

Meeting: 30/03/2021 - Executive (Item 453)

453 Review of Scrutiny by the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny pdf icon PDF 248 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That (A) The final report by the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) and the actions so far, to address the recommendations resulting from the review be noted; and

(B)            The further actions which may be necessary as these changes develop following further scrutiny training be noted.

 

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council presented a report on the Review of Scrutiny carried out by the Centre of Governance and Scrutiny. Scrutiny was absolutely critical and crucial for running a high quality council and it was important that the Executive was held to account for its decision making and policies they want to introduce. The Executive wished to endorse the comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Councillor Haysey said she would invite the Chairs and Vice Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny and Audit and Governance to meet the whole Executive every quarter to give them a greater understanding of their work asked the Scrutiny Officer to arrange the invitations.

 

Councillor Rutland-Barsby said that she had researched some bespoke training for Members of the scrutiny committees which had taken into account the recommendations of the review.

Councillor Buckmaster said that he remembered his scrutiny training when he first started as a member and it was a very important role. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee should be a ‘critical friend’ and they should focus on less rather than more and get involved in strategic issues. He suggested that there should be a focus to scrutinising a portfolio and look at a specific aspect of policy.

Councillor Curtis said that he was a member of the Overview and Scrutiny committee and agreed that that the scrutiny function should act as a ‘critical friend’. They should help and work with the Executive to improve policies and work constructively.

Councillor Haysey proposed and Councillor Williamson seconded a motion to agree the recommendations in the report. On being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED - That

(A) The final report by the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) and the actions so far, to address the recommendations resulting from the review be noted; and

(B) The further actions which may be necessary as these changes develop following further scrutiny training be noted.


Meeting: 23/03/2021 - Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Item 444)

444 Review of Scrutiny - Report by the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny pdf icon PDF 249 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Scrutiny Officer submitted a report which presented the findings by the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) following a review of the scrutiny function at East Herts which had been requested by the Leader. The Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) was asked for their independent opinion on the approach currently taken by the Council and to gain views on best practise.

 

The Scrutiny Officer explained the methodology undertaken and evidence reviewed by CfGS.  This was set out in further detail on page 106 of the report.  Members and Officers had been due to be interviewed in March 2020 but this had been rearranged to May 2020 due to the national lockdown. Their final report was submitted in November 2020.

 

Members were advised that a workshop had been held on 3 December 2020 where Members of Overview and Scrutiny and Audit and Governance Committees had been given the opportunity to seek clarification from Mr Ian Parry from CfGS on his report. The Scrutiny Officer said that the recommendations were set out on page 115. Going forward she explained that the Forward Plan  would be attached to future Overview and Scrutiny agendas so that Members could be afforded an early opportunity to review future decisions to be taken by the Executive.

 

The Scrutiny Officer provided an update to Members in terms of what actions had so far been introduced to take account of the recommendations made by the CfGS. These included:

 

·               Holding quarterly meetings with the Leader, Deputy Leader and both Chairmen and Vice Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Audit and Governance committee to review respective work programmes.

 

·               Inviting Executive Members to future meetings of Overview and Scrutiny to provide updates on their portfolio as  a standing item on future agendas of this Committee.

 

·               Members were reminded that there were dedicated scrutiny pages on the internet and the annual reports actively encouraged the public to get involved in the scrutiny process.

 

·               The constitution working group met regularly and was currently reviewing the Committee rules including those for Overview and Scrutiny and Audit and Governance to clarify the remits of both Committees.

 

·               Including as a standing item on both Committee agendas an opportunity for the public to ask questions or make a statement to the Committee.

 

The Scrutiny Officer said that by including the Forward Plan on the agenda, would encourage Members to become involved early on in the decision making process, thereby ensuring a more timely and proactive approach to scrutiny.

 

Members were reminded that they had already considered and supported the possibility of holding Committee meetings in other parts of the District.

 

Members were also advised that Task and Finish Groups were arranged over many weeks and further advice would be sought in respect of enquiry dates. The Scrutiny Officer said that she would be arranging scrutiny training after the Annual Council meeting to provide further advice to Members in respect of addressing other recommendations in the CfGS report.

 

Councillor Goldspink  ...  view the full minutes text for item 444