To consider proposed changes to the overview and scrutiny structure. 

Wards: Countywide

The Committee considered proposed changes to the Overview and Scrutiny structure, as a result of a planned 12-monthly review of the current Overview and Scrutiny model, and as a result of further review work conducted by Mr John Lamb.  The emerging principal proposal was that two Overview and Scrutiny Committees be established, each with a Chairman and Vice-Chairman, namely: a Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and a General Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  The report also outlined a number of other measures to give effect to the principal proposal, and proposed that the Head of Governance be designated as the Council’s Scrutiny Officer. 

In addition to the report, further written comments on the review were tabled at the meeting.  These had been received from the Leader of the Council and the Group Leaders, and from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  A further document was also considered, listing the potential advantages and disadvantages of a multiple Overview and Scrutiny Committee model, and a single Overview and Scrutiny Committee model. 

Councillor Seldon, the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was present at the meeting, and reported that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had suggested a change to recommendation (e) of the report before the Audit and Governance Committee, so that there was a gradual roll-out of the new dual-committee structure, starting on Monday 15 October 2012, and being completed by 1 January 2013.  This would enable a more effective transition to take place.  Members agreed to the proposed change. 

RESOLVED:  that it be recommended to Council that

(a)          the recommendations of the report on the Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) Function as set out at pages 3-4 of appendix 1 to this report be adopted;

(b)          the authority to exercise the Authority’s statutory health scrutiny functions be delegated to the Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee;

(c)          the Terms of Reference of the General Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee be as set out at paragraph 23 of the report;

(d)          each Overview and Scrutiny Committee consists of 13 Councillors and seats on each Committee be allocated by political proportionality as set out at paragraph 13 of the report appointments to those seats to be confirmed by Group Leaders;

(e)          the change to two Overview and Scrutiny Committees should begin to take effect from Monday 15 October 2012 with the final roll out of the two Committees from 1 January 2013;

(f)           Council approves the appointments to the offices of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the General Overview and Scrutiny Committees and the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee;

(g)          statutory co-optees serve on the General Overview and Scrutiny Committee;

(h)          the operating principles set out at paragraph 18 of the report form the basis of the new scrutiny model;

(i)            the rules of proportionality are not applied to Task and Finish Groups appointed by either of the two Overview and Scrutiny Committees;

(j)            the Head of Governance be designated as the Authority’s statutory Scrutiny Officer; and

(k)          the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make any consequential amendments to the Constitution.