WRITTEN EVIDENCE
SUBMITTED BY
CLLR ROB
GARNHAM, CHAIRMAN
OF THE
OVERVIEW AND
SCRUTINY MANAGEMENT
COMMITTEE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
COUNTY COUNCIL
(LOCO 04)
Scrutiny done well can undoubtedly result in improved
public services. The fresh independent thinking provided by councillors
involved in the scrutiny process can make a real difference for
local people. To be successful it should be member led and engage
with the local community.
The key message is that scrutiny should make a difference
in the areas that matter to local people - health services, crime
and disorder, adult social care, schools, vulnerable people.
It provides an opportunity to bring public agencies
together to pick up important issues that might not otherwise
be addressed—sometimes referred to as the "wicked"
issues!
In Gloucestershire, we have had some good examples
of how the scrutiny process is making a difference.
— Summer Emergency 2007
In July 2007, Gloucestershire
was hit by some of the worst flooding in living memory. Not only
were homes and businesses flooded and roads closed but vital services
such as water and electricity were seriously disrupted. The county
council along with the emergency services was at the centre of
responding to the emergency and, in the months that followed,
the council led a scrutiny inquiry into the lessons learnt and
what could have been done better. One of the major outcomes is
that Severn Trent, the local water company, is investing over
£30 million in securing water supplies to Gloucestershire.
This includes an alternative water supply pipeline that can be
brought into use should the water treatment works in Tewkesbury
fail again.
Great Western Ambulance
Joint Health Scrutiny Committee
— This committee was set up in February
2008 due to collective concerns regarding the performance of the
Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust. The seven county and
unitary councils covering the trust area are represented on the
committee. Serious concern had been expressed at poor ambulance
response times in rural areas, most notably in the Cotswolds,
Forest of Dean, Stroud and rural parts of Wiltshire. Councillors
have subsequently worked closely with the ambulance trust to help
them in improving their performance. A notable achievement is
the recruitment of additional community first responders, made
possible through the local knowledge of elected members. The Great
Western Ambulance Service is rated as the most improved ambulance
service in England.
— Bed closures
In March 2010, the Gloucestershire
Hospitals' NHS Foundation Trust announced 200 bed closures at
the hospitals in Gloucester and Cheltenham. The county health
scrutiny committee led by Cllr Andrew Gravells called the chief
executive of the hospitals' trust in to explain why the changes
were being made. At the request of elected members the proposals
were put on hold whilst a consultation exercise was undertaken
with the public and other stakeholders. Elected members are now
working with managers at the hospitals' trust on ward reconfiguration
proposals that will result in a much smaller number of bed closures.
What should the role of scrutiny be in the future?
In common with all public services, local government
is facing challenging times with a significant reduction in central
government funding inevitable. There will be some tough decisions
and through the scrutiny process non-executive councillors are
well placed to identify priorities and ensure that services are
provided in the most effective way.
The "total place" pilot studies have indicated
that disproportionate levels of funding are being spent in some
areas, for example dysfunctional families. Early intervention
can deliver better outcomes and release significant sums of public
money. The scrutiny process offers opportunities for councillors
to become engaged in this process and shape the design of public
services.
In Gloucestershire we have developed an innovative
scrutiny structure with district councillors and non-executive
members of other public bodies joining county councillors on scrutiny
bodies. This is particularly true of our joint scrutiny committee
looking at community safety issues. Depending upon the final proposals
to be announced we believe this committee could be well placed
to take on the role of the police and crime panels proposed in
the Policing White Paper.
Our health scrutiny committee includes district councillors
and is widely acknowledged for championing local health issues.
We would wish to see the power to refer matters to the Secretary
of State that are proposed for the health and well being boards
extended to health scrutiny committees. It would be wrong for
the referral powers to be limited to health and well being boards
which will be made up of representatives from GP consortia and
other decision makers.
Without Audit Commission central regulation through
the comprehensive area assessment, councils will need to demonstrate
to the public how well they are performing. There is a clear role
here for non-executive councillors in holding public service providers
to account.
September 2010
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