Library

The Centre for Public Scrutiny has amassed the largest collection of overview and scrutiny reviews available anywhere on the web. This is a unique and powerful resource that should form an integral part of any scoping exercise for an overview and scrutiny review. For a more in depth analysis of reviews into a particular subject we also provide review library monitors.

The CfPS scrutiny review library has become the first port of call for local government scrutineers looking to learn from the experiences of other authorities in reviewing any given subject. The review library is a one-stop-shop for establishing how best to approach the following:

  • the legislative framework in which the review lies - avoid stepping on the toes of statutory measures and take advantage of policies and schemes by learning from the experiences of other reviews
  • resourcing - establish how much time, support and funds will be needed and refine your terms of reference accordingly by undertaking a comparative analysis of similar reviews
  • innovative ideas - overview and scrutiny has evolved greatly, not least due to its forward thinking and dextrous approaches of scrutineers be they elected or professional. By sharing information on good ideas we can ensure that this improvement continues.
  • terms of reference - ensure you frame your review right first time to avoid inefficiency and dead-ends by looking at other reviews
  • who to call - see what witnesses were called, who was co-opted and which service delivery partners were involved.
  • community engagement - find out what engagement schemes were employed in similar reviews to judge which are most appropriate for your authority. 
  • recommendations and outcomes - see what happened post review to determine how best to present your findings
     

Latest reviews

The Effects of Housing on Physical and Mental Health.

The issues around provision of housing, whether private or public, are vast. The quality of housing has been identified as a determinant of health, and is linked almost inextricably with deprivation, poverty, educational attainment and job prospects.

NHOSC Children's Diabetes and Foot and Eye Screening Services Report

The Norfolk Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee agreed to add the provision of diabetic services to its forward work programme.  

Planning for Improvement

The Planning Improvement Working Party reviewed the Fundamental Improvement Plan two years after its adoption.

Planning can arouse strong feelings, with this in mind; our recommendations are intended to ease the contact for users of the service while enabling officers to continue to provide a quality professional service
 

Review of the Third Sector Commissioning Framework

The Cabinet asked the committee to evaluate the effectiveness of the authority's Third Sector Commissioning Framework following concerns about the role of Members in decision-making and concerns expressed by third sector organisations who had not been successful with their bids.

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