National Overview and Scrutiny Forum
Details on the NOSF, a national representative body for overview and scrutiny which is convened by CfPS
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.
Agendas, minutes and other documents
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.
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 Ian Haszeldine. The Vice-Chair position is currently vacant and elections are being held in spring 2013.
Previous chairs
Cllr Malcolm Brain (2010/11), Vice Chair Matthew Garrard (2010/11), Vice-Chair Mark Lowe (2011-13)
Ed Hammond (2009/10)
Mark Lowe (2008/09)
Gareth Wall (2007/08)
The Forum sends two representatives to sit on the CfPS Advisory Board. The current representative (in the absence of a vice-chair) is Cllr Ian Haszeldine.
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.
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. If you require any further information on any agenda item please contact Ed Hammond, who convenes the NOSF, on 020 7187 7369.
Some agendas and minutes are linked to Dropbox locations. If you access the web via a proxy server and your administrator has blocked links to Dropbox, please contact us and we can e-mail files to you directly.
2013
Tuesday 29 January (Agenda / Matters arising / Regional working / Peer support proposals / Draft minutes)
Tuesday 16 April
Wednesday 26 June
Tuesday 3 November
2012
Wednesday 8 February (Agenda / Minutes)
Wednesday 11 July (Agenda / Draft Minutes)
Wednesday 30 October
2011
Wednesday 26 January (Agenda / Minutes)
Ad hoc meeting - 2 June (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.