Meeting documents

IMPROVEMENT AND SCRUTINY SUB GROUPS

A key aspect of the development of the Improvement and Scrutiny function at this Council has been the setting up of sub groups to examine specific service areas in order to propose improvements. It is important to ensure that such activity delivers added value through the concentration of focus and represents the maximum use of the limited resources that it is possible to devote to this function.

At its meeting on 12 February the Improvement and Scrutiny Co-ordination Group expressed concern that there was a danger of sub groups undermining their effectiveness through becoming self-perpetuating.  In order for sub groups to be fully effective, the Co-Ordination Group stressed that it was essential for sub groups to be set up with clear terms of reference on a task and finish basis.

It is considered timely to undertake a review of sub groups for the new Council year in May to build on the good practice that has emerged to date.  In order to give maximum flexibility to suit particular circumstances, it has always been the practice at Wycombe that sub-committees or working parties only continue to the end of a current Council Year.  The re-establishment of all sub groups will therefore be assessed in the light of the findings of the review by Members at an early stage in the new Council Year.

In the context of a review it is also relevant to note that with respect to the 2004/05 Revenue Budget that the Economic Improvement and Scrutiny Committee supports the reinstatement of the bid for additional officer support for scrutiny if savings are made.

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