Minutes of the North West Scrutiny Support Officers’ Network

Friday, 18 March 2011

West Lancashire Borough Council

Present:

Blackpool - Steve Sienkiewicz (Chair) and Georgina Atkinson
Bolton - John Addison
CfPS - Ed Hammond
Cheshire East - Mark Grimshaw
GM Police Authority - Roland Howard
Halton - Alex Villiers
Knowsley - Dave Moran
Lancashire - Claire Evans and Wendy Broadley
Manchester - Courtney Brightwell
Pendle - Kath Haydock
Rossendale - Patricia Couch and Carolyn Sharples
St Helens - Joanne Heron and Rachel Bridge
Stockport - Steve Callender
Trafford - Helen Mitchell
West Lancashire - Jacky Denning and Cathryn Jackson
Wigan - Gary Finch

Apologies:

Blackpool - Laura Latham
CfPS - Su Turner
Cheshire East - Mark Nedderman and Denise French
Lancaster - Stephen Metcalfe and Jenny Kay
Tameside - Gina Murphy, David Berry, Alison Davies and Nicola Hine
Wirral - Alan Veitch
Wyre - Peter Foulsham

1. Welcome and Introductions

Steve Sienkiewicz welcomed everyone to the meeting and everyone introduced themselves.

2. Notes of the Last Meeting

The notes of the previous meeting of the network, held on 19 November 2010 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

3. AGMA Combined Authority Arrangements

Steve Callender (Stockport) gave a presentation on the new AGMA operating arrangements following the launch of the Combined Authority on 1 April 2011 and the role of scrutiny in the new structure.

Similarly to AGMA, the Combined Authority represented the ten Greater Manchester authorities. Each local authority leader had a seat on the Combined Authority Board. The Combined Authority had greater powers regarding transport, economic development and regeneration across the Greater Manchester conurbation. A Transport for Greater Manchester body had also been established under the new arrangements which would assume responsibility for delivering transport across the areas.

Steve Callender explained the differences between AGMA and the Combined Authority. AGMA was an informal association that collectively considered decisions. Subsequently, those decisions had to be formally approved by individual local authorities. Alternatively, the Combined Authority would have the jurisdiction to make formal decisions which would then be imposed on the local authority.

Within the new arrangements there were two strands to member involvement:

Overview and Scrutiny

A Scrutiny Pool of 30 members (three from each authority) would sit on two Panels: Governance, Improvement and Finance; and Environment, Spatial and Economy. There was also a Health Scrutiny Panel which was made up of one member per authority and was the statutory consultee on sub-regional health proposals.

Local Accountability and Communication

It was the duty of Executive Board Members to report back on AGMA activities. Under the Combined Authority, the following member requirements would also be introduced:

• To circulate within each authority the work programme of the Scrutiny Pool;
• Monthly electronic briefings on the work of AGMA scrutiny to be sent to all elected members within one week of the meeting; and
• Each Council to nominate one of its three AGMA scrutiny members as ‘link’ members to local authority scrutiny arrangements.

Discussion took place on the presentation. Some of the points made by those present included:

• The impact of an Elected Mayor for Greater Manchester on the Combined Authority.
• Scrutiny’s role in the development of the Combined Authority.
• The success of the current AGMA scrutiny arrangements.

4. Update from CfPS

Ed Hammond (CfPS) provided an update on the Localism Bill.

Scrutiny elements of the Bill

Schedule 2 of the Localism Bill consolidated previous scrutiny legislation. The Bill still contained certain elements, such as Local Area Agreements, which had been abolished.

Timetable

The Bill had completed the Committee stage on 10 March 2011 and had commenced the report stage which would consider key amendments. The Third Reading was scheduled for around early-April, followed by consideration by the House of Lords prior to Easter. The Government was aiming to achieve Royal Assent of the Bill by summer.

CfPS proposed amendments

The CfPS’s re-write of the scrutiny section of Schedule 2, which was submitted to DCLG, had been rejected. Alternatively, the CfPS would promote the amendments as a ‘removal of existing burdens on local authorities’ and would focus on:

• Partnership working;
• Powers for district councils;
• Changes relating to regulations and guidance; and
• The removal of a number of requirements.

The suggested amendments would be published on the CfPS web site for comment and would be discussed at the next O&S National Forum.

Other issues

Ed Hammond explained how scrutiny could contribute to other local authority areas, for example:

• The management of community assets;
• The investigation of strategic planning policy; and
• Driving innovation in councils.

Wider context

An overview of the following areas and the potential impact on scrutiny was provided:

• Changes to health scrutiny;
• The introduction of Police Commissioners in 2012 and Police and Crime Panels;
• Shared services;
• Partnership arrangements; and
• Sector-led self regulation.

Implications for scrutiny

Ed Hammond explained that if accepted, the CfPS’s amendments to the Bill would strengthen the power of scrutiny; however, if rejected there was a concern that the role of scrutiny would significantly reduce, particularly in light of local authority reductions in scrutiny resources. It was anticipated that over the next 18 months, the introduction of new legislation relating to health and policing would generate a greater necessity scrutiny.

Wider scrutiny information

The CfPS was undertaking more responsive research which reflected the needs of practitioners and was specific to particular issues and emerging policy / legislation. A further four policy briefings would be published in due course.

Discussion took place with regard to a request for the CLG Select Committee to undertake a review of the role of scrutiny in local government. It was agreed that the suggestion be considered at the next O&S National Forum.

5. Current Scrutiny Review Topics

Members of the Network briefly outlined the scrutiny reviews that were being currently undertaken within their authorities. These included the following:

• Employability – Bolton
• Safeguarding children – Halton
• Care provision of looked-after children – Lancashire
• Missing people from care homes – GM Police Authority
• Anti-social behaviour and vulnerable people – GM Police Authority

A discussion took place with regard to ongoing scrutiny restructures within a number of local authorities.

6. Items for Future Agendas

Steve Sienkiewicz welcomed members to submit suggestions for agenda items.

7. Any Other Business

Ed Hammond reminded members that the nomination deadline for the CfPS Good Scrutiny Awards was 31 March 2011.

The NWSSON Health Scrutiny meeting had been scheduled for 29 March 2011 in Macclesfield. Members were encouraged to attend.

Steve Sienkiewicz thanked all the speakers for their presentations. He also thanked West Lancashire Borough Council for hosting the event.

8. Arrangements for the Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Network will take place on Friday, 15 July 2011, from 10.00am (for a 10.30am start) at Manchester City Council.