National Overview and Scrutiny Forum

 

A National Overview and Scrutiny Forum was set up in 2007 to help develop Overview and Scrutiny in England and Wales. The Forum has the following terms of reference:-

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. 

Membership of the Forum

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.

Please click on the links below to find out more about each regional network (this list is not yet complete)

East Midlands Scrutiny Network
North West Scrutiny Network
North East Scrutiny Network
South East Scrutiny Network

Minutes and agendas are available for the following meetings:

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 / Draft Minutes)

Wednesday 27 October

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.