Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Network
Purpose
Overview & Scrutiny plays a vital role in ensuring modern local government is fully accountable to the people it serves. Due to its importance in local authorities, North West Employers is committed to facilitating networking opportunities around the region. The Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny network is an excellent example of this.
This network aims to provide a forum for Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny to exchange information and views about good practice. It also aims to discuss recent issues and areas of interest to chairs that many need to be considered. A steering group has been established to meet regularly and discuss useful topics and areas of interest.
Membership
The Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny and Overview and Scrutiny practitioners.
For North West local authorities and other member organisations, membership is free.
For further information please contact Kathryn Martin, Trainee Learning and Development Adviser on 0161 214 7107, or click the link below to e-mail Kathryn.
Kathryn MartinFor dates of future meetings of the network, click the link below.
MeetingsNews
On Wednesday, 11 July 2007 approximately 40 Elected Members and Officers met in Blackpool for the 2nd Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny Network meeting of the year. The morning included a session on the new regional Elected Member Development Gateway that brings together, in one place, a coherent offer to individual Members and authorities to support their development work. Facilitated by Liz McQue, North West Employers, and Dennis Reed (NWEO Associate), the group was given the opportunity to see the Gateway website in action and give their views on what else they would like to see included.
The afternoon then started with a topic high on the Government’s agenda and headlined in the Lyon’s Enquiry – climate change! This session, facilitated by Gill Fenna (Quantum Strategy & Technology), highlighted the problems and emphasised the importance of local authorities and specifically overview and scrutiny in this area.
The last session of the day, facilitated by Dominic Harrison (Department of Health), gave an understanding of the biggest issues facing our region, and some ideas for future scrutiny reviews. It also introduced a Portal to Public Health Intelligence to support the work of Public Health Professionals.
Member Development Gateway LeafletGill Fenna Quantum Strategy and TechnologyDominic Harrison Department of Health