Overview and Scrutiny Reviews
During the last eight 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.
In producing a report we gather information and views from a wide number of perspectives involving the following approaches:
- Desktop research of agendas, minutes, work-plans, reports.
- Observation of meetings.
- Examination of information on the authority’s website.
- Diagnostic Workshop involving all members to enable a self assessment against successful attributes of Overview and Scrutiny.
- Interviews with staff supporting Overview and Scrutiny.
- Interview with the Leader and members of the Executive.
- Focus group of senior managers who have been involved with the Overview and Scrutiny.
- Committees in providing information.
For further information on any of the above please contact Pat Wilson, Business Support Manager, on 0161 214 7103, or click the link below to e-mail Pat.
Pat Wilson
Click the link below to go to the Overview and Scrutiny section.
Overview and Scrutiny