Scrutiny Members' Role Description

Accountabilities

Chair of the appropriate scrutiny body
Full Council
The public
External Regulatory Bodies
Partners participating in the scrutiny process

Role purpose

To participate fully in the activities of Scrutiny, and the delivery of its work programme and any associated project panels
To participate in a proactive, informed and effective manner taking account of Codes of Conduct, Standing Orders and other constitutional requirements

Shaping and influencing policy (setting priorities)

To assist in the creation, development, improvement and refinement of policy
To challenge policies on a sound basis of evidence for example against legislation or local political priority
To assess the impact of existing policy

Holding decision takers to account

To evaluate the validity of executive decisions and challenge inappropriate decisions through call in

Making the right difference (challenging performance)

To monitor the performance of partners, internal and external providers against standards and targets
To contribute to the identification and mitigation of risk
To investigate and address the causes of poor performance

Representing the publics view (being the publics voice)

To use scrutiny as a means to address community issues and engage the public
To encourage stakeholders to participate in the work of the authority
To build a dialogue around priorities, objectives and performance, among communities and stakeholders
To develop locally viable and acceptable policy solutions

Bringing balance to the debate

To make adequate and appropriate preparation for meetings through research and briefings

Restoring public confidence

To promote the role of scrutiny within and outside the council, developing effective internal and external relationships
To demonstrate an objective and evidence based approach to scrutiny

Values

Openness and transparency
Honesty and integrity
Tolerance and respect
Equality and fairness
Appreciation of cultural difference and of shared values
Sustainability

Supplementary Roles

Chairs of each O&S Bodies:
- To provide confident and effective management of the member team
- To promote the role of Scrutiny within and outside the council, liaising effectively both internally within the council and externally with the Council’s partners
- To develop a balanced work programme
- To ensure the programme takes account of relevant factors such as the work programmes of the executive and other committees, strategic priorities and risks, and relevant community issues
- To ensure that the work programme is delivered
- To set agendas containing clear objectives and outcomes for the meeting
- To manage the progress of business at meetings, ensuring that meeting objectives are met, and the code of conduct, standing orders and other constitutional requirements are adhered to
- To ensure that the necessary preparation is done beforehand
- To ensure that all participants have an opportunity to make an appropriate contribution
- To act as a focus for liaison between the council, community and external bodies in relation to the scrutiny function
- To encourage high performance from all scrutiny members
- To assess individual and collective performance within scrutiny and facilitate appropriate development

Overview and Scrutiny:

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