Centre for Public Scrutiny

1
Centre for Public Scrutiny public reporting
accountability making the message clear Gareth
Wall CIPFA Annual Conference 15th June
2005 www.cfps.org.uk
2

• About CfPS
• established in January 2003
• purpose to promote the value of scrutiny in
  modern and effective government
• online services at www.cfps.org.uk
• publications good scrutiny guide, successful
  scrutiny, etc
• events annual conference, parliamentary
  seminars, etc
• Scrutiny Champions Network
• Health Scrutiny Support Programme

3
CfPS four principles of good scrutiny

• provide critical friend challenge to executives
  and external authorities
• reflect the voice and concerns of the public
• take the lead and own the process
• make an impact on the delivery of public services

4
2. Reflect the public voice

• From the outset
• Richmond-Upon-Thamesgt held a poll to identify
  priority issues for scrutiny
• Science and Technology Select Committeegt opened
  an online discussions forum asking the public to
  suggest how the enquiry should be framed
• Worcestershire County Councilgt placed an
  advertisement in local press to draw attention to
  its review of Adult Carer Assessments

5
2. Reflect the public voice

• During the process
• London Borough of Ealinggt produces a regular
  bulletin called scrutiny matters which is
  circulated within the council, to partners and in
  public areas
• Oxfordshire County Councilgt two non-executive
  Members have a regular slot on local radio
  where they able to highlight the work of overview
  and scrutiny
• Trafford Metropolitan Borough Councilgt during a
  review of ICT use in schools, a chat room was
  set-up for Councillors to discuss the issue
  with children. 3-4 schools answered questions
  live.

6
2. Reflect the public voice

• At the end
• Oxfordshire County Councilgt produced a short
  film to compliment the findings of its
  enquiry into Social Inclusion
• Bristol City Councilgt developed a monitoring
  grid to evaluate its recommendations from a
  review of bus services and publishes it every
  six months.
• Buckinghamshire County Councilgt commissioned a
  leaflet written and designed by young people
  outlining what would be done as a result of its
  enquiry into transitions to adult social
  services

7
Case studies

• Local Organisations, turnover LESS than 50m
• Yarrow Housing Ltd www.yarrowhousing.org.uk/about/
  annualReport.html
• Local Organisations, turnover MORE than 50m
• Cambridgeshire Peterborough Mental Health
  Partnership NHS Trust www.cambsmh.nhs.uk/
• National Organisations, turnover LESS than 50m
• Royal National Institute for Deaf People
  www.rnid.org.uk
• National Organisations, turnover MORE than 50m
• British Library www.bl.uk/