Making a Difference: Scrutiny at Staffordshire County Council

Partnerships Scrutiny and Performance Panel

Richard Gorton (Scrutiny Chair)

The primary role of each Scrutiny and Performance Panel/Committee is to review, scrutinise and monitor the performance of the Council in relation to its service and policy priorities, objectives and performance targets, in the areas within the scope of that Scrutiny and Performance Panel/Committee to determine the contribution each makes to the achievement of the County Council's corporate priorities.

The Partnerships Scrutiny and Performance Panel is aligned with the Safer and Stronger Communities Thematic Improvement Plan. The County Council's Thematic Improvement Plans identify how the Council's activities contribute to the delivery of these priorities and the targets within the Strategic Plan, Local Area Agreement and the Sustainable Community Strategy.

The Partnerships Scrutiny and Performance Panel has three roles:

Internal - whereby County Councillors evaluate the County Council's input into a specific partnership and assess the benefits delivered; and

External - Whereby County Councillors and representatives from partner organisations quarterly scrutinise the delivery of Staffordshire's Local Area Agreement, beginning in July 2007, and performance of key partnerships. County, District and Borough Councillors will be entitled to participate at these Panel meetings as full voting members of the Panel.

Representatives from other partner organisations, including fire and police and voluntary organisations will be invited to participate in Panel meetings but will not have voting rights.

Community Safety - The Partnerships Scrutiny and Performance Panel is responsible for monitoring the delivery of the Community Safety Agenda, and performance against statutory indicators, as required by the White Paper.

The Partnerships Scrutiny and Performance Panel is also responsible for scrutinising:

• Crime and Disorder
• Road Safety
• Drug and Alcohol Misuse
• Trading Standards
• Benefits Advice
• Community Engagement and Social Cohesion
• Democratic Renewal
• Emergency Planning
• Food and Animal Health
• Registration Service
• Coroners
• Community Services (excluding public health)

Partnerships Scrutiny and Performance Panel Work Programme 2007/08

Membership of the Partnerships Scrutiny and Performance Panel

Membership of the Partnerships Scrutiny and Performance Panel will adopt the same model as that of the Staffordshire Health Scrutiny Committee by inviting District and Borough Council Members to the Panel.

You can also access the Review of Work Undertaken Reports and our Scrutiny Annual Reports which detail the outcomes of the work of the Partnerships Scrutiny and Performance Panel and how Members contribute to the achievement of the County Council's Corporate Priorities in our Scrutiny Reports Library.

Meetings

Alternatively, if you require further information about the work of the Partnerships Scrutiny and Performance Panel or would like to get involved in a review that the Panel is undertaking please do not hesitate to Contact Us