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Introduction to Overview and Scrutiny17th May 2012

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“Overview and scrutiny acts as a ‘critical friend’ to cabinet and other decision makers in order to promote better services, policies and decisions. Boards work in a similar way to parliamentary select committees, overview and scrutiny involves councillors who are not in the Cabinet.”

What is Overview and Scrutiny?

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Discussion

What doesOverview and Scrutiny

mean to you?

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The Principles of Overview and Scrutiny

• Provides “critical friend” challenge to executive, policy makers and decision makers

• Enables the voice and concerns of the public and its communities

• Is carried out by “independent minded governors” who lead and own the scrutiny process

• Drives improvement in public servicesSource: Centre for Public Scrutiny www.cfps.org.uk

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How Has Overview and ScrutinyMade a Difference?

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Child and Family Services

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Children’sHomes

Social Work

Teams

DisabledChildren

CorporateParenting

Child and Family ServicesOverview and Scrutiny

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Leaving Care Carers

City Centre Teaching Assistants

In Depth Reviews(2011-12)

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Schools Challenge Car Parking

Adult Social Care Budget and Finance

Making a Difference

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The Main Roles of anOverview and Scrutiny Councillor

• Holding the Cabinet and other decision makers to account

• Monitoring the performance of public services and partnerships

• Contributing to policy and strategy development and review

• Involving the public

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Councillor Quotes

‘it’s one of the few areas where (non-executive councillors) can make a difference and feel involved in the work of the authority’

‘we have been able to make a significant contribution to improvement in services’

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Discussion

What do you wantto achieve through

Overview and Scrutiny?

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What Can You Expect to Be Doing?

• Work planning and agenda setting

• Gathering evidence

• Producing reports

• Making recommendations

• Following up on previous recommendations

• *Questioning and preparation*

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Even Getting Out Occasionally…

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What Support is Available?

• Overview and Scrutiny Unit

• Corporate Management Team

• Departments

• Democratic Services

• Legal Services

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The Overview and Scrutiny Unit Provides

• Work Planning and Project management

• Research and Evidence Gathering

• Report Drafting

• Liaising with Departments, Partners and the Public

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Your Overview and Scrutiny Team

Dave Mckenna Overview and Scrutiny Manager dave.mckenna@swansea.gov.uk

Brij Madahar Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator

Brij.madahar@swansea.gov.uk

Michelle Roberts Overview and Scrutiny Officer Michelle.roberts@swansea.gov.uk

Rosie Jackson Overview and Scrutiny Officer rosie.jackson@swansea.gov.uk

Delyth Davies Overview and Scrutiny Officer delyth.davies@swansea.gov.uk

Karen Shadrach Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator

Karen.shadrach@swansea.gov.uk

Jenna Tucker Overview and Scrutiny Research Officer

Jenna.tucker@swansea.gov.uk

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Something to Start Thinking About

• What are the key issues facing Swansea today?

• Is there an area of investigation where the Board could make a real difference?

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What Next?

1. Annual Meeting Appoints Members to Boards

2. Work Planning Process

3. Directors Briefing for Each Board

4. First Board Meetings in June

5. Development and Team Building Session for Each Board

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Room 3.3.8.

Tel: 637732

Scrutiny@Swansea.gov.uk

www.Swansea.gov.uk/Scrutinyscrutiny.cityandcountyofswansea.org.uk

Twitter: @SwanseaScrutiny

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