The Committee received an introduction to the Overview & Scrutiny process and the role of the Committee from the Monitoring Officer. This included an overview of the purpose of scrutiny, the legislative background, the scrutiny approach taken by the Council, and the Committee’s work programme. Members were advised of the available options for ad-hoc work, available resources, the advance questions process and their responsibilities as Committee members.
The Leader of the Council was invited to address the Committee, and thanked the Committee for the opportunity. The Leader stated that, as a former member of the Committee, he was aware that the relationship between the Committee and the Executive had previously not been ideal, but that he hoped to support a better relationship between the two in future. He recognised the important role of the Committee as a critical friend, and noted that he would seek to listen to and be available to respond to the Committee whenever possible.
The Leader also noted that he would support the working group considering the lessons learned from the Council’s experiences with the Pathway for Care company.
The Vice-Chairman presented a number of comments provided by the Chairman, emphasising the Committee’s role as a critical friend to the Executive, their role in representing their electors, and the advantages of the advanced questions process.
RESOLVED that the comments of the Monitoring Officer and the Chairman be noted.