[William Wade]

Hello,

Here at Wychavon we are due to hold our annual work planning session for our Overview and Scrutiny Committee in April. I would very interested to hear what you do at your authority and how or if you involve the public?

Many Thanks

Will

[Dave Mckenna]

We are looking at having a single work planning conference for all scrutiny councillors for the first time. Previously our 5 boards have done their work planning in relative independence.

I know others have done similar and would also like to hear any experiences / lessons etc etc that might help us.

[Ed Hammond]

We explored issues around all-committee work programming in our publication on this issue published last March.

There's a lot to be said for having a single process across the whole scrutiny function, but I know that some chairs may be concerned that this would affect their, and their committee's independence.

We're moving into the time when work programmes are put together, so I too would be keen to hear of people's approaches for 2012/13.

[Peter Marrington]

(03-02-2012 12:54 PM)Ed Hammond Wrote:  We explored issues around all-committee work programming in our publication on this issue published last March.

There's a lot to be said for having a single process across the whole scrutiny function, but I know that some chairs may be concerned that this would affect their, and their committee's independence.

We're moving into the time when work programmes are put together, so I too would be keen to hear of people's approaches for 2012/13.

Here in Leeds we have always let individual Scrutiny Boards determine their own work programmes. This happens at the first meeting of the municipal year, usually in June. Usually a couple of topics are identified, after speaking to the appropriate Director and Lead Member and then kicked off. The work programme then develops throughout the year with items being added as Members see fit. Last year, for the first time (and this will happen again this year), we identified a number of topics that would be scrutinised within the Boards formal terms of reference. So inaffect Full Council, when agreeing the establishment of the Board and its terms of reference at the Annual Council Meeting, were also identifying elements of the work programme (Scrutiny Boards are, afterall, Committees of Council. This arrangement does not prevent individual Boards determining other areas of work to do, but certainly helps focus the Boards on the bigger issues.