Scrutiny Explained

Introduction

The Local Government Act 2000 required all Councils in England and Wales to introduce new political structures which provide a clear role for the Council, the Executive and Non-Executive Councillors. One of the key roles that was introduced for Non-Executive Councillors is to undertake an overview and scrutiny function for the Council.

The scrutiny function is a process to check that Tameside residents receive the best possible services from the Council and its partners. It aims to improve those services by monitoring the work and making recommendations on the way services are provided. It also has specific responsibilities to provide a scrutiny function for local NHS Trusts and crime and disorder.

Scrutiny in Tameside

In Tameside there are three Scrutiny Panels made up of Local Councillors. While the Executive makes all the Council’s decisions within the budget and policy framework set by full Council, it is the scrutiny function that provides the checks and balances in the political structure. Members of the Cabinet are therefore not allowed to sit on a scrutiny panel.

The Scrutiny Panels are responsible for looking at Council policies, procedures and services, as well as looking at the Council’s partnership work with other agencies. They look at what is working well and what further improvements can be made.

The overview and scrutiny role involves:-

• Holding the Executive to Account
  This involves scrutinising decisions of the Executive at different stages of the decision-making process: before decisions are made; before they are implemented; and after they are implemented.
• Policy Review
  Policy review involves the in-depth scrutinising of existing Council policies to examine intended policy outcomes and whether these outcomes are being achieved.
• Review of Council Services
  This involves scrutiny reviewing Council services to ensure they are achieving customer satisfaction and value for money together with monitoring Council performance and ensuring standards are met.
• External Scrutiny
  External scrutiny involves scrutinising the work and impact of external agencies on a Council's community eg. local NHS Trusts, crime and disorder and other partners.

Scrutiny does not make policy decisions, this is the responsibility of the Executive but can make recommendations to the appropriate Executive Cabinet member.

The diagram below outlines the two Scrutiny Panels and the Cabinet Portfolios

Development of Scrutiny Panel Annual Work Programmes

At the beginning of every municipal year each scrutiny panel agrees to an annual work programme. The topics that are included in the work programme may be drawn from a number of sources including:-

• Suggestions from the Executive
• Suggestions from elected Members
• Corporate Plan Scorecard
• Members of the public

Scoping a Review and Preparing a Project Plan

Once a scrutiny panel has selected a topic for review from the annual work programme, work is then undertaken to determine:-

• The aim of the review
• Objectives – in order to meet the aim
• Detailed actions to be undertaken to meet the objectives
• Equalities issues
• Value for money/efficiencies
• Anticipated timescale

Information and Evidence

The review process usually takes place over several meetings where panel members meet with a variety of stakeholders. Once scrutiny panel members have assessed all the information and evidence received, the scrutiny panel report will be drafted based on the information received during the course of the review. Conclusions and recommendations will be agreed by members of the scrutiny panel for inclusion in the report.

Response from the Executive

A meeting will take place with the relevant Executive Member who will provide a response to the recommendations detailed in the report and what actions are proposed to implement the recommendations. The Executive Member will attend the next available scrutiny panel meeting to present the responses to the panel’s recommendations along with the final report.

All Scrutiny reports are tabled at the earliest opportunity to Council’s Overview Panel.

Centre Governance and Scrutiny

The Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) exists to promote better governance and scrutiny, both in policy and in practice.  CfGS supports local government, the public, corporate and voluntary sectors in ensuring transparency, accountability and greater involvement in their governance processes.
Governance and scrutiny are essential for the successful working of any organisation. Decisions are better made when they are open to challenge and involve others – whether that’s democratically elected representatives, those affected by decisions, or other key stakeholders. At the heart of better governance and scrutiny are the right behaviours and culture.
 
CfGS will achieve its purpose by:

1. Working with policy and decision-makers nationally and locally to raise governance standards, provide guidance and practical support to aid decision-making and improve outcomes.
2. Supporting organisations and individuals to create a culture which supports good governance, raises governance standards, responds to challenges and risks and provide innovative solutions.
3. Innovating in new areas to develop practical support and guidance which helps improve governance and scrutiny policy and practice.
4. Creating an environment in which our CfGS team (Trustees, staff and associates) can do their best work and establish effective partnerships to help achieve our purpose.
5. Continuing to grow CfGS’ reach, offer and profile in order to achieve our purpose, diversify funding and remain sustainable.

Have Your Say

Tameside's Scrutiny Panels want to engage with the people of Tameside and find out your views on services that the Council and other organisations provide. You can have your say and suggest a topic that you believe needs investigating. Topics should relate to a service, event or issue that the Council has a significant stake in, or which the Council has an influence over.