Meeting documents

            Meeting: Overview and Scrutiny Committee (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 2 - 04/06/2008 10:00:00 AM)

                  Item: A8 Evaluation of Overview and Scrutiny

         

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Report of Head of Overview and Scrutiny

Purpose

To inform the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee of an evaluation of Overview and Scrutiny in County Durham facilitated by Phil Thompson, PhD Student, Northumbria University.

Information

This project is unique, in that eight local authorities have simultaneously undertaken the evaluation of Overview and Scrutiny using the Centre for Public Scrutiny’s Self Evaluation Framework with the aim of informing and developing the Scrutiny function for a new unitary authority.

The Co. Durham Overview and Scrutiny Officer Network representing Chester-le Street District Council, City of Durham Council, Derwentside District Council, District of Easington Council, Durham County Council, Sedgefield Borough Council, Teesdale District Council and Wear Valley District Council commissioned the evaluation and was facilitated and delivered by a PhD Student from Northumbria University.

The evaluation was conducted between January and March 2008. Interviews were conducted with Chairs/Vice Chairs of Scrutiny from each authority. Members/Officers completed a Self Evaluation Framework for each authority and Members, Leaders (Executive Members) and other Stakeholders, who have been involved with O&S, completed surveys.

Data was collated covering over fifty key lines of enquiry relating to the Centre for Public Scrutiny Four Principles of Good Scrutiny. The analysis identified the strengths of Overview and Scrutiny in Co. Durham and development opportunities. Recommendations have been made on a range of issues for consideration by Members.

The report is attached identifying key findings, the results of the exercise with an analysis of conclusions. The report identifies a number of recommendations.

Recommendation

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee is asked to note the report and extend their thanks to Philip Thompson (PhD Student, Northumbria University) for the work he has done in identifying areas of strength and areas of challenge in order to develop an effective scrutiny function for County Durham.

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee is asked to agree the recommendations and to use these as areas for future overview and scrutiny development.

Contact: Feisal Jassat Tel: 0191 383 3506 E-Mail: feisal.jassat@durham.gov.uk

 Item 8.pdf;
 Item 8 _1_.pdf