[Adriana Stapleton]

Over the past year at St Edmundsbury we have had presentations from almost all Cabinet members on their areas of responsibility, with particular emphasis on major current issues in their portfolios. The O&S Committee is advised which portfolio holder will be attending the next meeting, so that they can give a steer on what areas of that portolio they are particularly interested in. We have never had any trouble getting plenty of questions at the meeting.

Adriana

[gareth davies]

Mark Lowe Wrote:In Adur and Worthing the OSC's of both Councils interview Adur and Worthing Cabinet Members at least once a year on the progress with the Cabinet Members priorities and also on general issue within the portfolios of the Cabinet Members. This involves the OSC's receiving traffic light update reports on the progress with those priorities.

These interviews have been reasonably successful and are now accepted as part of the Work Programmes, however, there is a tendency for the ruling group Members on the OSC's, particularly in Worthing, to resist asking any questions of the Cabinet Members who are also group colleagues.

I am trying to spice up the interviews process and I was wondering if you could let me know if other Councils also have Cabinet Member interviews and if so how these operate and the key to gettig Members involved in questioning of the Cabinet Members - Does anyone supply Members with possible questions in advance? Do any Councils involve the public in the questioning process?

Any ideas which you have would be appreciated.

Regards,

Mark Lowe

Adur and Worthing Councils

The key in my experience Mark (I've been on both sides of the process) is a really robust question setting exercise before the cabinet member comes in, with an agreement that as many members as possible will have a turn at the cabinet member.

I did hear of one proposal whereby each member had to put a question on a piece of paper, they all went into a hat and each member had to ask whichever question they drew out. A little eccentric and gamesey I'd suggest, but it has its merits....

[Ahmed Farooqui]

In Kensington and Chelsea the relevant Cabinet Member(s) do a written report to each SC meeting on thier work on which they can be questioned. Also, twice a year, the Chairmen of all 5 Committees hold a Q&A session with the whole of the Cabinet on the Council's budget and finnace strategy. Questions are from the Scrutiny Chairmen and are sent in advance. We are now looking at opening up these meetings to greater public participation and questioning.

Ahmed Farooqui
Scrutiny Development Manager