COUNCIL'S SCRUTINY FUNCTION 'A TOOTHLESS TIGER' SAY LIB DEMS

9.40.20am GMT Fri 9th Nov 2007

Councillor Steve Darling, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Torbay Council, has written to the Leader of the Conservative Group Cllr Kevin Carroll, highlighting concerns about the Council's 'Overview and Scrutiny Board.' The structure of Overview and Scrutiny function was changed following the local elections in May when the Conservatives took control.

In his letter Councillor Darling says:

The Liberal Democrat Group is growing increasingly concerned that Overview and Scrutiny is not fit for purpose. This contrasts with its position before the local elections when Torbay Council's Overview and Scrutiny model was held up as an example to other authorities of how scrutiny should work.

Our concerns are:

A number of scrutiny meetings are inquorate, due to the size and number of the meetings. Concerns were raised this summer (including by senior officers) that the work program would be challenging.

Overview and Scrutiny is disjointed, as there is only a weak link between the parent committee and the themed boards.

Overview and Scrutiny is increasingly seen as a toothless tiger, particularly when its role is described by the Coordinator as that of "supporting the Mayor". The role of Councillors on scrutiny is to scrutinise and challenge in a constructive way.

The Health Scrutiny Board has been diluted by its absorption into another Board, and is weaker as a result. It gives the impression that the present administration does not care about the sick, the weak, the elderly, the disabled and public health in general.

It is considered best practice to share out the Scrutiny Leads on a politically proportional basis. Also, the current Coordinator is held hostage by the current administration who could remove him from his position at any time should he be too vigorous in his scrutiny.

The Liberal Democrat Group feels that the time is now right to rethink the changes that have been made to Overview and Scrutiny so that it can perform its proper role again.

I have copied this correspondence to Cllr Parrott as he is developing a report in light of the reshaping exercise.

Councillor Darling says: "After the Conservatives took control of the Council, changes were made to the structure of Overview and Scrutiny. We feel that these changes have made the scrutiny function less effective. Prior to the changes the overview and scrutiny function was held up as best practice to other local authorities. Ultimately, the changes that the Conservatives have made could lead to a poorer service for the public. "