The Scrutiny function of the Council is an important part of the governance arrangements of the Council and a key element of the Councils arrangements to ensure continuous improvement and meet its statutory best value duty. This report identifies areas for improvement in the Council’s Scrutiny function and a set of dedicated actions to address them. It calls for Cabinet to note, endorse and or approve these actions. Some suggested ways forward will need to be the subject of further discussion and approval by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Mayor noted and agreed the reasons for urgency as set out in the report. The Mayor and Cabinet noted the pre-decision scrutiny questions and responses as tabled.

DECISION

1.    Note and endorse the improvements to training and support for Members.

2.    Note and endorse the approach taken to improve the effectiveness of the role of Statutory Scrutiny Officer.

3.    Note and agree the approach to be taken to improve the Overview and Scrutiny support function

4.    Note and endorse the officer actions to further enhance a positive relationship between scrutiny and the Executive comprising :

·            a review of scrutiny procedures in relation to the recently published good practice guides from the Centre for Public Scrutiny

·            the facilitation of a Scrutiny Protocol addressing issues such as how Cabinet will engage with scrutiny recommendations at Cabinet and establishing a process that supports a formal response to all issues referred to Cabinet by overview and scrutiny including recommendations, questions or calls for action.

·            As part of the review of the constitution reviewing the Scrutiny Procedures and the Scrutiny Toolkit set out in the Constitution, simplifying where useful.

5.    Note and endorse the actions to be taken to raise understanding and awareness of officers of the role of scrutiny.

6.    Note and endorse the proposals to increase the public profile and understanding of the scrutiny function of the council

7.    Note the specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 6.1 of the report.

Action by

CHIEF EXECUTIVE (S. HALSEY)

Acting Deputy Director of Strategy, Improvement & Transformation (R. Beattie)