Introducing a new model of overview & scrutiny

Introducing the New Model of Overview & Scrutiny May 2010

From May 2010, Overview and Scrutiny in the City & County of Swansea Council will work in a different way This guide explains why it is changing and how it will work

But first, what exactly is Overview & Scrutiny?

Overview & Scrutiny…
Involves councillors who are not in the cabinet
Works a bit like parliamentary select committees
Purpose is to improve local public services and hold decision makers to account

The Aim is: To provide ‘critical friend’ challenge to the executive (and decision makers) by undertaking a range of overview and scrutiny activities to ensure that improvement is delivered, sustained and embedded.

The Structure of Overview & Scrutiny
There are 5 Overview & Scrutiny Boards
Child and Family Services
Children, Young People & Learning
Environment & Communities
Health, Social Care & Wellbeing
Performance and Finance
And 2 Committees
Partnership
Business

Why is Overview & Scrutiny Changing?

Overview & Scrutiny Improvement Programme
5 sessions held from March to December 2009
Input from range of experts
Resulted in action plan based on 5 themes:
Improve the Critical Friend Challenge
Develop New Methods of Public Engagement
Improve Relationships with Partners
Improve Communication
Develop Cross-Border Scrutiny

The Child & Family Services Overview & Scrutiny Experience
Established April 09 in response to inspection report
Pioneered range of new approaches
Very positive feedback from inspectors / Intervention Board

How Will Overview & Scrutiny Be Different?

How Will it Be Different?
More effective challenge to the Cabinet
More robust performance monitoring
More time and commitment
Greater impact

New Tools
Direct dialogue with Cabinet Member(s) through Chairs letters
Questioning strategies
Pre / post meetings for board meetings

What Will Be the Benefits?
Councillors will be doing ‘real’ scrutiny and making a difference
Genuine team working and cross party consensus
Increased councillor knowledge
Productive and challenging relationship with Cabinet Member(s)

How Will it Work?

Activities
Work Planning
Evidence Gathering
Report Writing
Following Up

The ‘Critical Friend’ Process Performance Issue Questioning Strategy Consider Responses Chair’s Letter Preparation/ Pre Meeting Questioning / Board Meeting Following Up Reviewing/ Post Meeting

The Review Process Policies / Services Scoping Report Findings Report Final Report Scoping Evidence Gathering Following Up Report Writing

The Referral Process Cabinet Council O&S Committee Report To Board Consider Response Report From Board Referral Evidence Gathering Following Up Report Writing

Services Provided by the Overview & Scrutiny Unit
Project Management
Research & Analysis
Report Writing & Communications
Relationship Building
All provided with tact and political sensitivity

Quotes From Child & Family Services Board Members
“It’s important to focus on the fact that this is a good process not just about good individuals”
“All of the parts make a good team”
“It takes time but only because we are now more forensic”
“Sometime the professionals are too close – we can step back and look at it from outside”
“The high level of attendance shows how people feel about it”
“It’s been good to talk to people actually doing the job”

Ask the right questions Investigate and propose Ways we can improve Overview & Scrutiny Haiku

Introducing a new model of overview & scrutiny

by Dave Mckenna on May 20, 2010

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