Scrutiny Protocols

Scrutiny of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership

1. Introduction

In accordance with Part 3 of the Police and Justice Act 2006, local authorities have the power to scrutinise the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership in their area and make reports and recommendations to the Local Authority and the partnership. In Tameside, this is undertaken by the Scrutiny Panel which has been designated the “Crime and Disorder Committee” under Paragraph 1, Section 19 of Part 3 of the Act.
This Protocol has been produced between Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council and the respective partners comprising the Tameside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, see attached schedule, to provide framework for that scrutiny to take place. The publication of Regulations and good working practice has shaped this Protocol which may be revised by agreement between all the interested parties in order to continually improve the scrutiny process.

2. Principles of Scrutiny Operation

Scrutiny in Tameside is positive, objective and constructive. It acknowledges good practice and recommends improvements where it feels that these would be of benefit. Scrutiny concentrates on service outcomes and seeks to add value to each service that it considers.
Community safety and freedom from crime and disorder for the people of Tameside is dependant upon many factors including the services provided in partnership by partners in the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. This shared responsibility will be acknowledged by scrutiny and will feature in scrutiny reviews.
Scrutiny of the reduction of crime and disorder will only be truly successful if key organisations work and co-operate together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust with an understanding and commitment to its aims.
The key organisations involved in scrutiny of crime and disorder must be willing to share information, knowledge and reports which relate to the delivery and success of services in Tameside and carry out duties that would be reasonably expected of them to enable crime and disorder scrutiny to be successfully undertaken.
At all times both officers and members of the organisations involved in crime and disorder scrutiny, representatives and members of the public will be treated with respect and courtesy. Matters of confidentiality will be treated with respect.
Crime and disorder scrutiny will be open and transparent. Any person involved in crime and disorder scrutiny will always declare any personal or other pecuniary interest that they have either in a scrutiny exercise or during a meeting of the scrutiny panel in accordance with the Code of Conduct relating to standards of conduct and ethics.
The Tameside Scrutiny Panel, whilst working in partnership, is independent of the respective partners comprising the Tameside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.
Scrutiny of Crime and Disorder will try to maximise the involvement of the community and will work with other agencies representing the public.
Scrutiny of Crime and Disorder will be focused on improving services and service provision for the people of Tameside and will concentrate on outputs that are intended to help improve community safety and reduce the fear of crime in Tameside.

3. The Scrutiny Panel

All dates and times of meetings of the Scrutiny Panel, agendas, minutes and reports will circulated to members and Social Services and Health Service Partners in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 or subsequent legislation.
Social Services and Health Service partners will be consulted on Annual Work Programmes and informed in advance of scrutiny exercises that the Scrutiny Panel is intending to undertake. They will also be informed of the scope of all scrutiny exercises and will be given adequate notice of invitations to attend meetings of Scrutiny Panels and any required information.
The Tameside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership will be consulted on any draft reports before they are published. Final reports will be presented to Tameside Council, the Tameside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, be published on the Council’s website and circulated in accordance with the regulations on scrutiny of crime and disorder.
Crime and disorder scrutiny is not to be used as a complaints procedure. Case studies may however be used as part of supporting information for scrutiny exercises.
The Tameside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership will be informed of any press releases relating to crime and disorder scrutiny although the Scrutiny Support Unit may speak to the press in advance of meeting to brief them about forthcoming Scrutiny Panel meetings.
The Scrutiny Panel will at all times comply with the Constitution of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council.

4. Tameside Crime And Disorder Reduction Partnership

The Tameside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership will work in partnership with the Scrutiny Panel to provide objective and effective scrutiny of crime and disorder in Tameside.
The Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership will provide information relating to the planning and operation of crime and disorder reduction activities and strategies that is required by the Scrutiny Panel so that it can undertake its required scrutiny reviews. This will not however, include confidential information that might impinge upon actual police operations or individuals, unless an individual gives consent for such information to be released.
The Crime and Disorder Reduction Partners will provide the Scrutiny Panel with such information within 15 working days of the receipt of the request.
The Tameside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership will respond to crime and disorder scrutiny reviews within 28 days of receipt. A copy of such a response will be sent to The Tameside Executive Member, individuals who have contributed to reviews, local MPs, appropriate voluntary organisations, Tameside libraries and customer information centres.
A separate protocol and procedure will be agreed to cover references to the Scrutiny Panel from the elected members via the Councillor Call for Action.
The Tameside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership will be consulted by the Scrutiny Panel to compile annual work programmes for crime and disorder scrutiny.
The Tameside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership will nominate a main contact person for each crime and disorder scrutiny exercise and maintain regular contact with the Scrutiny Panel, attending in person when invited.
The Tameside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership will ensure that officers attending Scrutiny Panel meetings are able to answer questions openly and are given appropriate support by their line managers.