centre for public scrutiny

A National Overview and Scrutiny Forum was set up in 2007 to help develop Overview and Scrutiny in England and Wales. Each English region sends one officer representative, and one councillor representative, to the Forum. Wales sends one officer and one councillor representative as well.

The Forum is convened and facilitated by the Centre for Public Scrutiny but controls its own work programme and is driven by the needs and interests of O&S practitioners.

Terms of reference

The Forum has the following terms of reference:-

• To represent the views of the Regional Networks as far as possible;

• To influence and inform national developments that affect Overview and Scrutiny in Local Government;

• To work with the scrutinized at national level to enhance the understanding of Overview and Scrutiny’s purpose;

• To support the operation of individual regional networks through shared experience and practice; and

• To advise the Centre for Public Scrutiny on its work programme in relation to Overview and Scrutiny.

Meetings of the Forum

The Forum usually meets four times per year, with meetings timed to coincide with the CfPS Advisory Board. Meetings tend to be held in central London. Observers are welcome but CfPS would appreciate being advised beforehand if you are not a member of the Forum but wish to attend. Minutes are generally uploaded shortly after the meeting but are draft only, subject to formal approval at the next meeting.

The Chair of the Forum is Cllr Malcolm Brain (Gateshead, North East). The Vice-Chair is Matthew Garrard (Nottinghamshire, East Midlands). They were elected by other Forum members in April 2010.

Previous chairs were Ed Hammond (2009/10), Mark Lowe (2008/09) and Gareth Wall (2007/08).

The Forum sends two representatives to sit on the CfPS Advisory Board. The current representatives are Mark Lowe (Worthing, South East) and Cllr Malcolm Brain (Gateshead, North East). This follows an election in March 2010. The previous representatives were Howard Boots (Tameside, North West) and Tom Bolton (Durham, North East).

The Network is made up of Member and Officer representatives appointed by the Regional Scrutiny Networks. All nine English regions, and Wales, send representatives to the Forum. There is also a standing invitation to the Metropolitan Police Authority and the Clerk to the Communities and Local Government Select Committee in the House of Commons.

Meetings are held in Local Government House in London, starting 1pm, on the date below, unless otherwise notified. Observers are welcome but please contact Ed Hammond on 020 7187 7369 beforehand if you would like to attend.

Minutes and agendas are available for the following meetings:

2011

Wednesday 26 January (Agenda / Draft Minutes)

Ad hoc meeting - 2 June (Draft Notes)

Wednesday 27 July (Agenda / Minutes)

Wednesday 2 November (Agenda / Minutes)

2010

Wednesday 27 January (Agenda / Minutes)

Tuesday 23 March (Agenda / Minutes / Paper on chairing arrangements)

Wednesday 19 May (Agenda / Minutes / Paper on regional events for Accountability Works)

Wednesday 21 July (Agenda / Minutes)

Wednesday 27 October (Agenda / Draft Minutes / Draft Accountability Charter / Discussion paper on Charter evaluation

2009

Wednesday 28 January (Minutes)

Wednesday 6 May (Agenda / Minutes)

Wednesday 22 July (Minutes)

Wednesday 28 October (Agenda / Minutes)

Wednesday 8 December - special meeting (Discussion paper / Minutes)

2008

Wednesday 30 January (Agenda / Minutes)

Wednesday 8 July (Agenda / Minutes)

Wednesday 29 October (Agenda / Minutes)

2007

Wednesday 10 May (inaugural and planning meeting) (Agenda / Minutes)

The meetings of the Forum are used to facilitate discussion with the Government and other national bodies and to meet the aims of the terms of reference. The Centre for Public Scrutiny are facilitating the Forum to establish it as a national voice for scrutiny.

For more information on the National Overview and Scrutiny Forum please contact the Centre for Public Scrutiny on 020 7187 7369.