Scrutiny at Staffordshire County Council: The Scrutiny Process

Work Programmes

At the beginning of every year each Scrutiny and Performance Committee/Panel considers what issues they will look at during the year. The work programme gives focus and structure to scrutiny activity, helping the Committees/Panels to support and challenge the Cabinet's decision-making.

Scrutiny Committees/Panels take into account the views of a range of stakeholders when developing the work programme, including those of Cabinet Members, officers and the public.

The work programmes are flexible and may be reviewed and updated throughout the year to reflect emerging issues.

Delivery

Scrutiny work takes place in formal meetings of the Committees/Panels and in Member working groups, which are set up to look at specific subjects in detail. The Scrutiny Annual Report provides a summary of the work undertaken by the Committees/Panels each year, with a focus on how they have contributed to the achievement of Staffordshire County Council's priorities.

Among the items that Members regularly receive at Scrutiny and Performance Committee/Panel meetings are:

Cabinet Members Progress Report

These reports provide a summary of decisions that have been taken at Cabinet and issues relevant to the delivery of their portfolios, together with a summary of areas that the Cabinet will consider in the near future.

Performance Management Reports

The Corporate Policy Scrutiny and Performance Committee is responsible for scrutinising the County Council's progress in delivering its priorities. Quarterly performance reports are provided to the Committee to enable them to undertake this role. The Committee can identify areas that they wish to investigate further and/or recommend that another Scrutiny and Performance Committee/Panel investigate a particular performance matter.

Scrutiny Reviews

Focussed scrutiny reviews, often undertaken by working groups, are a key element of all the Committee/Panel work programmes. Initially a review will be scoped and a report prepared setting out:

the aim of the review;
the terms of reference;
timescales;
potential witnesses; and
sources of evidence.

The report will be agreed by the Committee/Panel. The Committee/Panel, or a working group it appoints, will then identify officers from the Directorates to support the review and undertake a period of evidence gathering and evaluation. Once the review is complete a final report will be produced, with the support of the Scrutiny Manager, which will include conclusions and recommendations. This report will be presented to the appropriate decision-making body or individual. The recommendations will be considered by that body/individual who will report back to the Committee/Panel setting out an action plan for the implementation of agreed recommendations and an explanation for any recommendations which are not agreed. The Committee/Panel will monitor the implementation of all recommendations.

Last Modified: 06/11/2008 09:19:59
Back to top