7th Annual Conference and Officer and Member Day 9

1
7th Annual Conference and Officer and Member
Day9 10 June 2009. NottinghamA critical
friend for critical times

• Scrutiny Café on the Scrutiny of Place
• facilitated by CfPS Associates
• Susan Dungworth, Rodger Mann,
• Ann Reeder and Frances Taylor

2
An introduction to the CfPS
The Centre for Public Scrutiny promotes the value
of scrutiny and accountability in modern and
effective government and supports non-executives
in their scrutiny role. We support scrutineers
by producing guidance, creating networks and
forums, and sharing our expertise through
seminars, consultancy, training and events.
3
What is a Scrutiny Cafe?

• A space in which people are able to explore ideas
  and the practice of scrutiny, drawing on your own
  experience and reflections
• Relaxed cafe-style atmosphere
• Self-facilitating and participant driven
• Self-recording of thoughts and ideas

4
How does it work?

• Small group discussions on hosted tables
• Common set of questions in several rounds
• Groups change and mix
• After 15-20 mins, participants move to a new
  table
• Table hosts remain to outline discussions so far
• New questions for each round
• Groups should seek common ground
• Plenary at end to share insights and suggestions
• A report could be written up for consideration

5
What will we do?

• One person on each table will remain as a host
• Others will move between tables
• Do not remain in the same group throughout
• Over coffee, we will share experience and ideas
  about scrutiny of place
• Capture your thoughts in writing on the
  tablecloth
• There will be a plenary discussion to conclude

6
Initial reflections on the theme
7
Initial reflections (1)

• Four principles of effective scrutiny
• Provides a critical friend challenge
• Enables the voice and concerns of the public to
  be heard
• Is carried out by independent minded governors
  who lead and own the scrutiny role
• Drives improvement in public services

8
Initial reflections (2)
Roles and relationships Process and
practice Skills and support
9
Initial reflections (3)

• "Our proposals will allow committees to consider
  specific matters regarding the action of local
  public service providers and the actions of key
  public bodies operating in a local authority
  area.
• Strong and Prosperous Communities. White Paper,
  2006
• We want to raise the visibility of the scrutiny
  function to ensure that people are aware of this
  powerful tool at their disposal
• Communities in Control real people, real power.
  White Paper, 2008

10
Initial reflections (4)

• Local government as place-shaper
• councillors should be champions for their local
  community, able to speak out on all issues
  affecting their local area and able to sort out
  issues on the ground or demand a formal response
  through the scrutiny procedures
• Strong and Prosperous Communities White Paper,
  2006

11
Initial reflections (5)

• Local governments role in place-shaping and
  Comprehensive Area Assessment
• Moving from CPA to CAA
• The increasing role of scrutiny in assessment
• Working beyond local authority boundaries
• Having an external focus

12
Initial reflections (6)

• Local governments role in place-shaping and
  partnership working
• the Local Strategic Partnership
• the Local Area Agreement
• Local Improvement Targets
• Local Government and Public Involvement in
  Health Act 2007

13
The Scrutiny Cafe
14
Starter
Is it time to move from scrutiny of services to
scrutiny of place? And if so, why?
15
Starter
What are the new powers that scrutiny may draw
on? Does scrutiny require additional powers?
16
Waiter
Coffee Comfort break
17
Main course

• What are the skills that scrutineers need to
  scrutinise place?

18
Main course
How does the scrutiny of place affect the
selection of topics to be reviewed? And how
reviews are carried out?
19
Waiter
Coffee
20
Dessert
How might scrutiny help to develop a new culture
and broaden relationships within and beyond the
local authority?
21
Dessert
How do you get the public and other relevant
stakeholders on board?
22
Waiter
Coffee
23
Digestif

• Open microphone session
• Gathering our thoughts for feedback
• Reflections and insights
• Answers and suggestions

24
Scrutiny Cafe
Any questions? Comments? See cfps.org.uk