The document summarizes a Scrutiny Work Planning Conference. It discusses the scrutiny panels process in a local council, including inquiry panels that scope issues, gather evidence, and report findings, performance panels that focus on issues of concern and make recommendations, and joint panels that address cross-cutting issues. Potential panel topics are proposed in four areas: Stronger Safer Communities, Place, People, and cross-cutting issues. Data is presented on topics that matter most to the public according to a citizen survey. Conference participants are then asked to discuss which topics should be priorities.

1. Scrutiny Work Planning
Conference
9th July 2012

2. Welcome
Cllr Des Thomas
Chair: Scrutiny Programme Board

3. Scrutiny Panels
• Informal task and finish
groups
• Established by ‘parent’
board
• Small membership
• Clear brief
• Three types; inquiry,
performance and joint…
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nasacommons/4479640066/

4. Inquiry Panels
• Scoping
• Evidence Gathering
• Report Findings
• Final report: Conclusions
and recommendations
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/6821061248/

5. Performance Panels
• Focus on issue of
concern
• Bespoke reports?
• Ongoing monitoring
• Raise concerns
• Make recommendations
to Cabinet
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornelluniversitylibrary/3856024789/

6. Joint Panels
• Cross cutting issues
• Avoid duplication – co-
ordinating role
• Refer issues to boards if
necessary
• Make recommendations
to Cabinet
• Under umbrella of
Programme Board
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2178275857/

7. Annual Work Planning
Process
Scrutiny Boards 2011/12 Public
CMT
Councillors
Scrutiny Boards
You are here! Work Planning Conference
Scrutiny Programme Board
Scrutiny Boards

8. What Makes A Good
Topic?

9. 1. Strategic and
significant
• Corporate Plan /
Community Strategy
• Council / partner
priority
• National priority
• Audit / inspection
• Public impact
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10. 2. An issue of concern
• Public
• Performance
• Budget
• External group
/pressure
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11. 3. A good use of scrutiny
time
• Clear objective
• Not examined
recently/ elsewhere
• Scrutiny can add
value
• The timing is right
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12. Panel Proposals
• Stronger Safer Communities
• Place
• People
• ‘Cross cutting’

13. Stronger Safer
Communities
• Affordable Housing
• Young People and Citizenship
• Access to Transport
• Economic Inactivity
• Community Safety

14. Place
• Public Transport
• Economic Development
• Beyond Bricks and Mortar
• Tourism
• Sports and Physical Activity

15. People
• Child and Family Services (Performance)
• School Governance
• Services to Looked After Children
• Well Being and School Attainment

16. Cross Cutting
• Local Service Board
• Public Engagement
• Corporate Improvement
• Budget and Finance

17. What Matters to the
Public? Public Importance of Scrutiny Topics (Swansea Voices)
Literacy in Schools
City Centre
Support for Carers
Teaching Assistants
Recycling
Support for Care Leavers
Corporate Parenting
Shared Services
Community Alarms
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Extremely Important Very Important Fairly important Not important Don't know

18. Swansea Voices
Suggestions (2011)
• Road maintenance • Social care
• Traffic congestion • Car parking charges
• Street lighting • Derelict and empty
• Refuse collection and properties
recycling • Allocation of Council
housing

19. Swansea Voices
Suggestions (2012)
• Social care • Employment, business
• Education standards and investment
• Poverty • Entertainment and
• Drugs and alcohol tourism
• Bus services
• Street scene (street
lighting, gully cleaning, • Anti social behaviour
dog fouling etc) • Council Housing /
• Waste collection and Affordable Housing
disposal

20. Which topics should be
a priority?
Group Discussion

21. Summary and Close