North West Scrutiny Support Officers' Network Agenda - 17th October 08
North West Scrutiny Support Officers' Network Meeting
17th October 2008
Agenda
1. Notes of the Last Meeting
To receive for information, the attached notes of the last meeting of the Network held on 14th July 2008.
2. Scrutiny In Salford
To receive a presentation from Karen Dainty, Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer at Salford City Council on the work of scrutiny in Salford and any developments of interest.
3. North West Employers Organisation - Support For Officer Training
Following requests by a number of people, North West Employers’ Organisation have suggested that training events organised, for example, by the Centre for Public Scrutiny or LGiU, etc, could be brought to the North West. They would organise this and there would obviously be a significant saving on travel costs.
The kind of training events they have in mind are outlined below, but these are only an example.
They have asked that the potential interest in this be determined and, if sufficient, they will take this matter further.
- Community Empowerment and Scrutiny
Four best practice events looking at recent Community Empowerment White Paper and the Guidance and Regulations
- Power to the people: Exploring the Empowerment White Paper
A comprehensive one-day event that will get to the heart of the issues in the Empowerment White Paper that matter most to you.
- LINKs and the Regulation of Health and Social Care
This event is one of a series of national and regional events exploring the new relationship between LINks, the Healthcare Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspection. (Manchester event advertised is fully subscribed so would need to organise another one).
- Consensus Building for Overview and Scrutiny Committees
Workshop designed for local authority officers, especially on joint overview and scrutiny committees.
- Making LINKs Work
An event on key issues in Health and Social Care
- Consensus building and Health Scrutiny
A one-day Seminar/Workshop for officers supporting joint health overview and scrutiny committees. Its focus is on understanding the value of consensus-building in this particular context and the different techniques that can be used.
- Other events available:
- Scrutiny of Performance Management
- Scrutinising Partnerships
- Effective Scrutiny of Health Commissioning
- Suite of other O&S events – Introduction, Planning/Scoping, Interviewing, Chairing, Diagnostic workshops.
4. Health Accountability Forum
The Centre for Public Scrutiny is seeking to set up a Health Accountability Forum and details were recently sent out to the Network by Doug Scott, Cumbria County Council. They want an Officer and Elected Member from each Network.
It is understood that if there are more people wishing to become members of the Forum from the Officer side, then a person can be nominated from this meeting.
5. Quality Benchmarking And Financial Benchmarking
To discuss how Quality Benchmarking might be progressed and whether any authorities wish to participate in a financial/budget benchmarking exercise.
6. Pay And Grading Review
To discuss recent developments.
7. Break Out Groups
It is suggested that the meeting divide in to two or more groups to discuss and report back on:
- Local Area Agreements
- Councillor Call for Action