Hampshire County Council Item 11

21^st July 2005

DEMOCRATIC REVIEW PROPOSALS

Report of the Chief Executive

Officer Contact: Share D'All, Chief Executive's Department.

e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01962 846634

1. Introduction:

1.1. The purpose of this report is to gain the agreement of Council to key principles about the direction of travel for the modernisation of our Democratic structures and processes. This is to then enable further work to be done on the detail of the structures and processes, the release of resources and the timetable for implementation.

2. Outcomes of the Review:

2.1. As agreed with a cross-party Core group prior to the May Elections the desired outcomes of this Review are:

· Clear, consistent & `crisp' processes & leadership

_ Processes which are efficient, effective and without unnecessary bureaucracy

_ Local members having clear, consistent & understood access to decision making

_ The minimum number of meetings, paperwork & formality necessary to achieve the outcomes required

_ Members and the public can understand decisions even if they do not always agree with them

· A meaningful role for local members which enables them to:

_ Have influence and impact

_ Advocate on behalf of their community

_ Know what they are meant to be achieving in all aspects of their role

_ Use and develop specialist knowledge

· Clear roles for Members which are understood by all

_ Both Cabinet & non-executive Member roles

_ Clear distinction between Officer and Member roles which enable them to work effectively in partnership to the benefit of the people of Hampshire

_ Members understand and achieve appropriate balance between the local and strategic aspects of their role

· Clear access to information and support for local Members

· A valuable and valued role for scrutiny, which is appropriately supported

3. The Way Forward:

3.1. All Councillors have been offered the opportunity to be involved in looking at the current thinking about the way forward in consultation briefings or workshops and all but 14 members have availed themselves of these opportunities.

3.2. It is clear that there is a lot more work to be done on the detail which will need to include:

· the detail work on all elements

· looking at issues of how to release both Member and Officer time and resources

· discussion with partners

· looking at implementation timescales for each of the following elements, which are likely to vary:

_ Scrutiny structure

_ Local Groups

_ Cabinet Advisers

It is important not to embark on this detail without firm agreement from the Council that this is the direction it wishes to take.

3.3. In the light of feedback from consultations the Council is

4. Recommended:

To agree the following principles as those which will govern the way ahead:

4.1. The Council chooses to modernise - to invest in the future rather than trying to replicate the past

4.2. The Council wishes to focus Member time on positive outcomes and impact rather than keeping people busy.

4.3. The Council will introduce Local Groups of County Councillors:

· On District Boundaries

· With parameters focussing on County Council responsibility areas (not duplicating functions of other tiers of Local Government)

· That have impact at local level and measurable outcomes

· With specialist officer support

· With resources and responsibilities targeted at outcomes

4.4. The Council will move to a Model of Scrutiny which is based on:

· An overseeing Scrutiny Board

· An annual work programme prioritised for maximum impact and delivered by task & finish work groups

· A cross-cutting briefing structure with Member Interest Panels and Lead Members

· Specialised scrutiny support with research capabilities

4.5. The Council will consider implementing Cabinet Advisers who:

· Support the Executive Members

· Chair cross-party workgroups and consultation processes developing strategy & policy for Executive members

· Will enable and ensure early Member involvement in `direction setting' work

· Will have support from Policy Officers

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

None

N.B. the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.