Overview and Scrutiny
During the last six years North West Employers has been heavily involved in working with authorities that have been introducing and reviewing political decision-making structures, particularly in the area of Overview and Scrutiny, and delivering events for Elected Members and Officers. We have worked with over 50 authorities and joint boards to help them develop an effective Overview and Scrutiny function including diagnostics, design of processes and running development activities. We were commissioned by the IDeA to co–author, with INLOGOV, materials for the Advanced Scrutiny Module of the Modern Member Programmes.
As a result of that experience and research undertaken by various bodies and ourselves, we have established that, for Overview and Scrutiny to be effective, a number of key ingredients need to be present. These ingredients are:
- Members and Officers understand what overview and scrutiny is and what it can and cannot do.
- Members take the lead and are engaged.
- The development of positive relationships, particularly with the Executive and the Community.
- Concentrating on things that matter to the Community, which will add value.
- Effective planning and preparation for individual enquiries.
- Adapting to new ways of working.
- Effectively managing information and finishing.
Based on these principles we have developed a range of learning activities, which can be tailored for local circumstances, covering:
- Understanding Overview and Scrutiny.
- Making Overview and Scrutiny effective.
- Developing a work-plan and scoping individual enquiries.
- Interviewing skills for Overview and Scrutiny.
- Chairing skills for Overview and Scrutiny.
- Diagnostic workshop to assess performance against the principles of effective Overview and Scrutiny and identify potential solutions.
- Overview and Scrutiny and the Executive.
For further information on any of the above please contact Liz McQue,
Chief Executive, on 0161 214 7101, or click the link below to e-mail Liz.
Liz McQue