National update Ed Hammond Research and Information Manager, CfPS 24 June 2011 East Midlands Scrutiny Network Melton Mowbray

Contents Localism Bill Generally Scrutiny provisions Police Reform Bill Generally Police and Crime Panels Sector self-regulation What this means for scrutiny

Localism Bill (general) The “community right to challenge” Amendments to planning law – far greater powers for local people Mayoral arrangements – in a state of flux – we may see concessions being made by Government on this

Localism Bill (scrutiny) A reasonable number of authorities proposing to “return” to the committee system but the financial and legal implications will probably put people off. Bill currently progressing through Committee stage in the Commons – CfPS is having amendments proposed on our behalf by some Lib Dem peers CfPS/CLG meeting on Bill issues on 2 July The more backing from practitioners on these issues the better!

Police Reform Bill Will introduce directly-elected Police and Crime Commissioners, held to account by a Police and Crime Panel (which will be local authority-hosted) The Lords have overturned the PCC provision but this will be reinstated by the Commons Question mark over the interaction between PCPs and crime and disorder O&S A Home Office project group is meeting next week to discuss some of the key issues

Police Reform Bill PCP composition The PCP is technically a “scrutiny body” but many in PAs and LAs have assumed that it will have executive members on it. There are a number of strong reasons why scrutiny cllrs should be the only ones on the PCP. Many force areas are setting up “shadow PCPs” in preparation for transition. Is that happening in this region? What liaison – if any – have you had with other partners on the PCP?

Sector self-regulation “Taking the Lead” Replacing central, top-down inspection with bottom-up scrutiny by “armchair auditors” Recognition by Government and the LGA that there will still need to be some form of independent challenge Peer reviews will become three-yearly events for all councils. Where governance problems are raised CfPS will be brought in to investigate and help councils to improve. We have fed into the peer review methodology and will ensure that it accurately reflects the central role that scrutiny plays in improvement

What this means for scrutiny Potentially huge opportunities for scrutiny to: Mediate between competing interests Act as a champion for local people Promote a culture of transparency Make the council and its partners more able to cope with transformation and change But equally, pressures on scrutiny budgets and a perception that scrutiny does not need much resourcing – cutbacks in dedicated officer support

Further information CfPS regularly publishes Policy Briefings on interesting issues and is about to publish a series of four Skills Briefings for elected members We are also thinking about the way that we support regional networks on an ongoing basis