The role of Scrutiny and how to be an effective scrutiny member

Overview and scrutiny to plays an essential role in policy shaping, holding the executive decision-makers to account and reviewing issues of importance to local communities. To do this the scrutiny function and Members need to develop a shared understanding on the role and capability of the scrutiny function; to be strong on prioritisation, work programming and the quality of scrutiny activities in measuring impact.

Objectives:

To provide members with a clear understanding of their role in scrutiny:

• Latest guidance and good practice
• Support members to increase their understanding and experience as effective and confident scrutiny practitioners
• To help improve individual member skills in the basic principles of scrutiny
• To give scrutiny members an increased understanding of the role and potential impact of scrutiny
• Scrutiny influences and how to use them
• Importance of relationships, behaviours, and communication (culture aspects)
• To understand how scrutiny can have significant impact in supporting performance
• To explore how scrutiny can better add value to policy and practice in the future