Agenda and minutes

Report of the Chief Executive

Report of the Group Director of Services

Report of the Group Director of Operations

Report of the Chief Executive

Council Decision Making Processes and the Scrutiny Function

Preamble

(a)    Both the Labour and the Liberal Democrat Groups are committed to the creation of a listening council, involving residents more in decision-making.

(b)   Councils work best when they are democratically accountable, operating openly and transparently, and actively seeking to engage local people, businesses and community groups.

(c)    In general, the decision-making processes of Councils can be difficult to understand for those not directly involved, and that an informed and involved scrutiny function generally leads to much better outcomes.

(d)   The Labour/Liberal Democrat Administration of Darlington Borough Council is committed to a review of how it listens to local residents and then takes decisions, promoting the best interests of the Council and the Borough.

This Council therefore believes :-

(a)    That work to fulfil the aims of this motion should engage with members of the public and partners from the private, public and voluntary sectors for their insights as to how the Council can achieve its objectives as set out above.

(b)   That the work should consider how the scrutiny function can be strengthened and involve the public in its deliberations.  The Working Group should produce some recommendations for Scrutiny Committees.  Such recommendations to be received by Council.

(c)    That there may need to be consideration of any potential savings and additional expenditure arising from the proposals of the Working Group.

(d)   That the findings of the Working Group would ordinarily be submitted back to Cabinet and then Council if there are any recommendations of formal changes to the Constitution.

Resolution

This Council resolves:

(a)    To establish a time-limited, politically balanced Working Group of Councillors, to consider how Council decision-making and the scrutiny function can be strengthened, involving the public in deliberations, and making recommendations to Council thereon.

(b)   That the working group will be known as the Scrutiny Committee Working Group and be comprised of 10 members (5 Labour, 3 Conservative, 1 Green and 1 Liberal Democrat), with the members being nominated by the Group Leaders direct to the Democratic Manager.