Agenda item

Cllr Peter Fleming went through the member’s recommendations and introduced Jessica Crowe from the Centre for Public Scrutiny. Jessica went through the draft outline collaboration programme discussing how the work with the LGA could lead to greater public accountability, more streamlined services and the development of local government as a consumer champion. There would be greater collaboration with the LGA having Cllr Tony Jackson on the board of trustees to encourage a stronger relationship. Jessica invited members from the board to comment on the proposals, the follow points were raised:

·         Many members were against the idea of a public accounts committee without the money being devolved from government. A number of concerns were raised about going down the road before money was committed and felt until the government agreed to place the money in the hands of local areas, local government should not agree to setting up a public accounts committee.  The government needing evidence that local government could handle the responsibility was questioned and it was argued that local and national government needed to move on the issue together.

·         The offer of support programmes was praised however the need to work with nonexecutive councillors and show value beyond the leader was discussed.

·         There was a discussion on how the new scrutiny system would work with concerns raised that the head of scrutiny would be set up as almost an executive member which some members felt unnecessary.

Decisions

i.              Members noted the report