Cost: from £175 + VAT

The political landscape in which overview and scrutiny committees operate has been subject to pressures from both communities and local residents, to ensure they focus on issues that are of concern to them. Recent Inquiries have highlighted the need for more and increased openness and transparency of decision making and robust scrutiny of those decisions. Alongside this is the demand placed on the scrutiny function for real time holding to account through increased use of social media and digital technologies.

Scrutiny during the Covid-19 pandemic presented further challenges and opportunities for adapted ways of delivering governance, some of which will be explored during the session.

Member relationships and cross-party issues can either help or hinder scrutiny outcomes. Whilst these, and other pressures, create many challenges for officers who lead, manage and support scrutiny committees, they also provide opportunities for ensuring that scrutiny work is effectively linked to local priorities and outcomes. This practical course will provide space for consideration of these matters, giving attendees the opportunity to engage with the speaker and with each other, share experience and ask questions.

The course will consider the context and different ways of delivering the OSC function and role in a complex governance and accountability framework. It will consider the complexities and challenges faced by officers who are delivering multiple roles supporting committees.

Sessions will include:

• The legislative context and guidance
• Structures and systems in which overview and scrutiny is delivered
• Political and organisational culture
• Work programming
• Good practice examples and case studies
• The environment in which officers operate
• Member officer roles and responsibilities
• Looking forward- nationally and locally
• Considering the implications of pandemic on practice

This workshop is for you if you are:

• New to supporting overview and scrutiny
• Want to explore how best to support scrutiny members
• The Statutory Scrutiny Officer
• Involved in committee, democratic work and want to broaden your role.