Following discussions at the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on 16 February 2015 regarding a powerful and effective system for holding decision makers to public account, the Committee had recommended that “in the new Council, Members be offered the opportunity to shadow Cabinet Members”.
Discussion took place regarding:
· The number of parties making up the opposition, therefore a direct Shadow Member would be difficult to identify
· Meetings between officers and Cabinet Members could at times be adhoc and therefore it would be difficult to keep the Shadow Member involved.
· Following the submission of a detailed report, few questions had been asked of the Cabinet Member for Housing when he attended the recent Scrutiny Committee.
· The Housing Improvement Board was open to all Members but attendance was poor.
· There was no objection to working with a Member who was interested in a specific portfolio.
· It was felt that there was little need for a formal agreement.
· Following the election a new Cabinet may have different views.
It was therefore:
RESOLVED to continue the present open approach with regard to decision making and the questioning of Cabinet Members by the Scrutiny Committee.
(Proposed by the Chairman)