Contents
Proposed revisions to Government guidance on scrutiny committees
2 Party politics and organisational culture
The relationship between scrutiny and the executive
Committee chairing arrangements
Getting data from multiple sources and external advisors
Service users’ perspective and public experiences
Officer support models and required skill sets
Scrutiny’s profile and parity with the executive
The role of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer
The suitability of training provided
The quality of training available and DCLG oversight
Case studies of public engagement
7 Scrutinising public services provided by external bodies
The conflict between commercial and democratic interests
Scrutiny powers in relation to external organisations
Scrutinising council contracts
Scrutiny of Local Economic Partnerships
8 Scrutiny in combined authorities
The mayoral combined authorities
Conclusions and recommendations
Annex: summary of discussions at an informal workshop with councillors and officers
14 December 2017