PAPER F

CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE – 13 NOVEMBER 2003

IDeA PEER REVIEW

HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND BEST VALUE SUPPORT

REASON FOR CONSIDERATION

A full peer review was carried out by a team of seven local government experts from the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) during one week in September. The Committee may wish to consider the main findings, particularly those issues relating to the role of scrutiny.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE COMMITTEE

• To consider the main findings and make recommendations.

• To arrange a workshop to examine the details that impact upon the scrutiny process.

BACKGROUND

At the Council’s invitation an independent peer review was carried out by a team from the IDeA. The team spent a week interviewing and meeting a wide range of people including Members, staff, partner organisations and representatives from the public and local media.

At the time of writing this report, the full findings were not available. From the Council’s new Team Brief and Press Release the main strengths that the review team identified include:

• a commitment to getting services right
• evidence of some really good service delivery
• refreshed management systems and the right mechanisms in place
• evidence that new thinking is taking place
• a positive approach to prioritising
• prudent financial management.

The review team, however, also found a number of issues for the Council to consider, including:

• tackling parochialism
• encouraging wider involvement of all political parties across the council
• the perception that scrutiny could be more independent and challenging
• ensuring Members have clear roles to reduce confusion with Member/officer working
• seeking out further opportunities to promote community grass-roots understanding of the Council
• celebrating success more
• providing managerial role models for women within the Council
• seeking opportunities to provide a voice for young people and ‘hard to reach’ groups.

RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The Corporate Plan 2002-2005.

CONSULTATION PROCESS

The IDeA review is part of the Council’s Communication and Performance Management Framework. The findings provide insight into the Council’s ability to consult, listen and respond to its local community.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

There are no financial, legal or crime and disorder implications contained within this report.

APPENDICES ATTACHED

None

BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

Press Release No. 3152 dated 4 November 2003.

Contact Point :Alistair R Drain, Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support,

F : 823801 e-mail address: alistair.drain@iow.gov.uk.

ALISTAIR DRAIN

Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support