Issue - meetings

Review of Scrutiny Arrangements

Meeting: 06/06/2016 - Cabinet (Item 8)

8 Review of Scrutiny Arrangements pdf icon PDF 147 KB

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Minutes:

Councillor Anne McLachlan introduced a report by the Team Leader – Performance and Scrutiny which set out proposals for amending the Council’s overview and scrutiny arrangements to better align with, support and challenge the effective delivery of the Wirral Plan.  Members were informed that this would ensure that the scrutiny function added value in support of better outcomes for Wirral residents. 

 

The new arrangements would also deliver better value for money through a reduction from the four existing Policy and Performance Committees to three new Overview and Scrutiny Committees that would be clearly aligned with the three Wirral Plan themes of People, Business and Environment.  This would help ensure that the focus of scrutiny was targeted towards the Wirral Plan and its partnership delivery arrangements. 

 

The new arrangements would involve the three committees driving forward a scrutiny work programme that was prioritised around the twenty pledges in the Wirral Plan. This would involve the establishment of task and finish groups and standing panels which would examine the effectiveness of Wirral Plan delivery. This would also provide non-executive members with the opportunity to challenge and influence partnership delivery arrangements and to harness the views of service users and residents to ensure the best outcomes for Wirral residents.

 

Changes to the Scrutiny function required a change to the Council’s Constitution, Calendar of Meetings and appointments being made to the new Committees and consequently, would need to be referred to the Council for approval.

 

Appended to the report were:

 

Appendix 1  - Transfer of Scrutiny Work Programme Items

Appendix 2  - Appointments and Revised Calendar of Meetings

Appendix 3  - Revised Article 6 and Table 2 - Responsibility for     Functions of the Constitution

Appendix 4  - Revised Part 4a - Standing Order 35

Appendix 5  - Revised Part 4d Overview and Scrutiny       Procedure Rules

 

Councillor Phil Davies pointed out that the reduction of four Policy and Performance Committees to three new Overview and Scrutiny Committees would provide savings.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)  the proposed changes to the Council’s scrutiny arrangements set out in the report and its appendices be approved;

 

(2)  the proposed changes detailed in the report and its appendices be referred for consideration to the Policy and Performance Co-ordinating Committee for consideration at its meeting scheduled for 15 June 2016; and

 

(3)  the proposed changes to the Council’s scrutiny arrangements detailed in the report (including Appendices) and the views of the Co-ordinating Committee as confirmed at its meeting on 15 June be referred to an extraordinary meeting of Council to be held on 27 June 2016 for consideration and approval.