Archived decisions

Contact: Marie Mannveille, Scrutiny Support Officer. Telephone: 01962 845018, email: [email protected]

1. Summary and Purpose

1.1 The scrutiny team has commenced implementation of the recommendations arising from the Policy and Resources Select Committee's 2008 review of the County Council's scrutiny arrangements. The internal corporate review of democratic services has also considered issues relating to support to Members and covers some of the same issues. Therefore any changes implemented as a result of the review of scrutiny will be undertaken in conjunction with any findings of this review of democratic services support to members.

1.2 Annexe A of this report lists each of the review's recommendations with an update on progress with implementation, and the anticipated timescale for the next steps in implementation. It has been identified where further updates will be made at the July meeting of the committee.

1.3 Key leads from County Council departments required to action certain recommendations have been contacted. It is anticipated a more substantial update on these recommendations will be available for the July meeting of the Policy & Resources Select Committee.

2. Recommendations

1. That the Committee endorses progress to date and gives particular consideration to the proposed approaches to implementing the following recommendations:

a) Recommendation G: To discuss the proposed approach to informal meetings between Select Committee Chairmen, Opposition Spokespeople and Executive Members (see table page 5).

b) Recommendation H: Members' views are sought on preferences for timing of Select Committee Meetings in relation to Executive Member Decision Days, in the light of experience from the January 2009 round of meetings (see table page 6).

c) Recommendation Q: To discuss Members' preferences for input to the production of the Scrutiny Handbook, given that this is due to be prepared between this meeting and the July 2009 meeting. (see table page 10)

d) Recommendation S: To consider the topic selection flow chart attached at Annexe B and discuss whether this is useful in addition to the topic selection criteria agreed at the October 2008 Policy & Resources Select Committee Meeting. (see table page 12)

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.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works

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

File:

Review of Scrutiny Final Report, available from:

/decisions/decisions-docs/080506-parprc-R0428105621

Review of Scrutiny - Cabinet Working Group Response, available from:

/decisions/decisions-docs/081014-parprc-R1008105728