Scrutiny in South Tyneside Paul Baldasera

Scrutiny – why do we do it? Local Government Act 2000 – cabinet system Scrutiny roles –Holding Executive to account –Policy review and development –Best value and performance management –External Scrutiny

More recent legislation The Police and Justice Act 2006 –The establishment of a Crime and Disorder Scrutiny committee to scrutinise the Crime and Disorder Partnership, and –Arrangements to operate Councillor Call for Action for crime and disorder matters.

Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 –All organisations involved in the Local Area agreement were made subject to scrutiny and have “due regard” for their recommendations –Created Local Involvement Networks (LINks)

The Local Democracy Economic Development & Construction Act 2009 –required the Council to appoint a designated Scrutiny Officer to promote the role of Scrutiny Committees, provide support for them and provide support and guidance to Members and Officers in relation to scrutiny functions.

…Making a difference What’s scrutiny about?……

Overview and Scrutiny Committee x3 Select committees Our structure

Children & Young People and Independent & Healthy Lives Jobs & Enterprise, Regeneration &Resources and Culture & Well-being Environment, Housing & Transport and Safer & Stronger Communities Our select committees

Meetings Each committee meets 7 times a year Work programme is decided by Members It’s a flexible programme which changes as issues arise

How do we choose scrutiny?

Cultural Solutions Partnership approachPrinciples of workingArea plansAnnual delivery plans Shaping our Future - South Tyneside will be a great place for people to live, work, visit and do business. 20 year Partnership Aims People  Better education and skills  Less people in poverty  Protect children and vulnerable adults  Stable and independent families  Healthier people Place  A regenerated South Tyneside with increased business and jobs  Better transport  Better housing and neighbourhoods  A clean and green environment  Less crime and safer communities 5 year Delivery Aims Stable and independent families Healthier peopleA regenerated South Tyneside with increased business and jobs Better housing and neighbourhoods Cultural Solutions

How do we hold Executive and partners to account? Performance reporting

In depth scrutiny Scrutiny commissions – in depth reviews of a service or policy area Scrutiny research project – individual councillor undertaking investigation on behalf of the commitee

Scoping report – what are you aiming to find out? Evidence gathering –Desk research –Presentations –Best practice visits –workshops Format of a scrutiny commission

Analysis of evidence Final report with recommendations Cabinet response Directorate action plan Performance Monitoring Format of a scrutiny commission

Empty properties

One or a couple of Members take some time to do some dedicated research on behalf of the committee. Have covered –Places to go and things to do for young people –Bullying –Achieving the Decent Homes Standard –Getting people back to work Scrutiny researcher projects

Key questions for scrutiny - services  Do we have to offer this service?  Who is the service for?  How many people use the service?  How many staff do you employ?  What training do staff receive?  How do you measure performance?  What do customers think about the service?  What do staff think about working in the service?  How does the service compare with other councils in the north east and nationally?  Who are the top performing councils/organisations in this field and how do we compare to them?  Is performance improving or declining? Why?  Are there safeguarding/corporate parenting considerations?  Are there robust safeguarding arrangements and are staff aware of them?  How does the service collect and monitor data on safeguarding issues?  What is the budget for the service?  How does the budget per head compare with other councils in the north east and nationally?  What is best practice is the area?  What are the barriers to improved performance?

Key questions for scrutiny - policies  Why do we have the policy?  How does it tie in with the overall goals of the Council?  How was it agreed?  Why are we reviewing the policy – what are the levers for change?  When has it/will it be reviewed?  Is safeguarding issues included?  Is the policy in line with national guidance?  Is there best practice guidance in this area?  Does the policy reflect the identified best practice?  Has there been improved performance since the policy has been introduced/how will the policy improve performance?  Does the policy take into account future needs/trends?  What are the organisational risks?

Allows Members the time to look in depth at an area. It always results in recommendations Allows real Members participation in policy making and service development Raises the profile of issues in the community Advantages of our approach

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