Borough adopts new governance structure, scrapping old scrutiny panels

The council's executive agreed in April to scrap its eight Scrutiny Panels, replacing them with five Advisory Panels. The change came into force last week (8 May).

The move comes after a Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge found that the council's scrutiny panels were not working effectively.

Fareham adopted its old governance structure in 2018. The structure involved dedicated scrutiny functions, one for each of the six executive portfolios.

However, members complained that the system led to delays in scrutinising executive decisions, differences in approaches across each scrutiny committee, and inconsistencies, with some committees being busy and others quiet.

In light of the complaint, the council's Assistant Director for Democracy recommended members adopt a structure consisting of a single Overview and Scrutiny Board with a selection of advisory panels.

"This would enable Members to focus on thematic projects as well as looking ahead by supporting and shaping policy development", the officer's report said.

Under the proposed model, the board will scrutinise executive decisions taken and will act as board for any call-in procedure, in line with the council's constitution. It could also consider service performance.

The role of the panels will meanwhile be to investigate, advise, inform and make recommendations to the executive or to the Overview & Scrutiny Board for pre-scrutiny work.

According to the council, the change will reduce the overall number of meetings while enabling panel members to contribute more fully to the local authority's main priorities.

Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Councillor Simon Martin, said: "We make every effort to ensure the legal requirements of the council are delivered in the most practical, streamlined and logical way possible.

"Doing away with the Scrutiny Panels in favour of our new Advisory Panels was an incredibly complex piece if work, but one which I am confident will help councillors deliver results in a more focused and productive way."

Adam Carey