Written evidence submitted by the Scrutiny Chairs/Deputy Chairs - North Tyneside Council [OSG 028]
1.0 Scrutiny in North Tyneside
The scrutiny structure in North Tyneside consists of an overarching Overview, Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee and 7 Sub-committees aligned to the Cabinet portfolios, with membership of all Council Committees, Sub-Committees being made on political balance.
The Overview, Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee is comprised of 15 councillors, together with two parent governor and two church representatives.
The Scrutiny Sub-committees are:
6 sub-committees consist of 12 Members with the remaining having 7 Members (Finance sub).
2.0 Whether scrutiny committees in local authorities in England are effective in holding decision-makers to account
The primary focus of scrutiny in recent years has been to support the Authority in its policy development, however, this has not stopped it from holding its decision makers into account. Scrutiny in North Tyneside is positive and acts as a critical friend and will challenge the Executive if and when it is believed appropriate.
There is a view that not all sub-committees have the same appetite to undertake in-depth scrutiny reviews, however, this is encouraged through discussion at the regular quarterly Scrutiny Chairs/Deputy Chair meetings.
3.0 Whether scrutiny officers are independent of and separate from those being scrutinised
A Scrutiny Network was set up with the purpose of the Network to ensure that the focus of Scrutiny in North Tyneside is:
The Network produces and takes ownership of;
of the Council’s Scrutiny function and assist in generating debate and dialogue about matters of concern to the local communities which cut across agency boundaries such as child poverty, employment and skills, community safety, health inequalities
Membership of the network comprises representatives from various services across the Council. The membership aims to provide expertise on all aspects of work included in the scrutiny work programme.
The network meets quarterly and is supported by service areas and the Democratic Services Team who work together to support scrutiny in undertaking investigations and identifying high quality recommendations for Cabinet.
Although scrutiny is supported in part by officers of services that are being scrutinised, the outcomes and recommendations are solely those of the Committee/Sub-committee involved in any particular scrutiny and supported by Democratic Services Team.
4.0 The extent to which scrutiny committees operate with political impartiality and independence from executives
When undertaking in depth reviews of topics, Membership of sub groups are sought from all Non-Executive Members of the Authority. Therefore eliminating the view that scrutiny is restricted to only those Members appointed to Scrutiny Committees and allows all Non-Executive Members an opportunity to take a full and active part in scrutiny.
Scrutiny works well with political balance and buy in by all taking part. Parking permit, Bereavement services and Waste management scrutiny are three very recent in depth scrutiny that will add value for residents.
There is a duty on the Overview, Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee to examine and contribute to the formulation of the Cabinet’s budget and strategic planning proposals.
The North Tyneside approach is that Invitations are extended to all non executive members of the Council to serve on a Budget Sub-group.
This has ensured that Members from all parties have the same opportunity to take a full active role and be involved in the scrutiny of the proposed budget of the Elected Mayor & Cabinet.
Two full days are programmed where Head of Finance, Senior Officers and Cabinet Members are in attendance to present and provide information on the proposals.
A report is then produced that details the Sub-groups observations and recommendations for the Elected Mayor & Cabinet to consider as part of the budget-setting process.
5.0 How chairs and members are selected
Annual Council appoints the Chairs and Deputy Chairs to its various Committees & Sub Committees for the municipal year.
6.0 Whether powers to summon witnesses are adequate
Through its work, Scrutiny in North Tyneside has used its power to summon witnesses that include the Elected Mayor/Cabinet Members/Chief Executive and Senior Leadership/Directors and Senior Officers of the Authority Partners (who deliver Council services) /Health Partners/ Unions/Residents/Police & Crime Commissioner/Businesses leaders and the External Auditor.
7.0 The potential for local authority scrutiny to act as a voice for local service users
Although the powers allow requesting participation, it is considered more could be done to enhance scrutiny to encourage residents and local business to engage better into the scrutiny process. Like Select Committees it is felt that a greater degree to almost compel witnesses to come to scrutiny would strengthen the role and give greater legitimacy to Scrutiny. It is believed this could be better promoted through readiness to use social media platforms, and other media outlets to identify the added value of Scrutiny. Scrutiny as we know it is quite new in local government and it is hoped that residents will be able to see the value and submit ideas that might be helpful to them and their communities.
8.0 How topics for scrutiny are selected
Invitations for topics for scrutiny are requested from:
Topics are then considered at the Scrutiny Chairs/Deputy Chairs meetings and topics are aligned to the most relevant sub-committee for its work programme. The sub-committee then determines its priority topics at its first meeting of the municipal year.
9.0 The support given to the scrutiny function by political leaders and senior officers, including the resources allocated
Scrutiny is often under resourced, it is the belief in North Tyneside that by investing resources to scrutiny will improve and provide better value for money services to the community as a whole; this is especially critical at a time of reducing resources and looking at other ways and means of delivering services to our communities.
Although in recent times resources to support all services has been under strain there needs to be a continued ambition to ensure good scrutiny is allowed to take place, with clear allocated resources available. In North Tyneside there is only resource for one in-depth scrutiny study for each portfolio area to be undertaken at a time.
10. The role of scrutiny in devolution deals and the scrutiny models used in combined authorities
The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee also sits for the authority on the O & S of the Combined Authority for the past three years. This committee has evolved with two members; again politically balanced from each of the seven Constituent Authorities at 12:2. It has worked well looking at matters of barriers to economic development in the region and transport issues. This committee has elected its own Chair and Deputy and speaks as one voice.
However since a recent Order concerning governance of the NECA the rules have now changed to the dismay of the Committee. The committee will now be unable to choose their own Chair, having to appoint an independent or an appropriate person to the Chair. All members of the committee; no matter their political grouping are against this but have no choice in the matter and have referred this to the Leadership Board for the decision on Chair. Political balance is also changing to 10:4. In addition the scrutiny officer cannot come from one of the constituent authorities and it is felt the committee will not be as well served by officers who have great knowledge and experience. The committee now has a Call In facility.
The committee felt that they were making progress as Scrutiny to the Combined Authority and have not welcomed these imposed changes.
11. Regional Scrutiny Network
There is a Regional Scrutiny Network (NEREO) that meets bi-monthly to which speakers and topics are discussed in a larger forum. This is a good networking and learning tool that is used by both Members and Officers locally.