Learning and development

Combining three tried and tested sessions – to give new scrutiny committee members the foundations they need:

• Scrutiny Essentials
• Questioning Skills
• Work Programming

• Advise on duties around financial oversight and scrutiny
• Explore local authority finance
• Explain how to plan for in-year reviews
• Discuss the benefits of scrutiny in budget development
• Identify what needs to be in place for medium-term financial strategy
• Tailor to the learning needs of new or established members

• Explore skills and techniques for effective questioning
• Review types of questions and when to apply them
• Refresh and refine capability
• Evaluate types of data and information to construct questions

• Identify key outcomes for budget scrutiny
• Review member and officer capability
• Provide input for planning budget scrutiny
• Conduct coaching and support to develop capability

• Explore the links between successful scrutiny programmes and organisational and political culture
• Provide guidance on scrutiny powers and processes
• Run an interactive, engaging session suited to all whether new or established in their roles
• Refresh scrutiny knowledge and confidence

• Explore how data and evidence can be used to support scrutiny
• Explain how to interpret data to help members prioritise work
• Build confidence on how to use data oversight to escalate issues

• Examine the building blocks of effective work programming
• Explore how to select the right topics at the right time
• Understand how to apply logic and method to the topics that are selected
• Build a realistic programme of topics

• Review the legislative journey of scrutiny
• Explore the role of scrutiny in the decision-making framework, and how it can help overall decision making and policy development
• Review the powers of scrutiny, including call in, and why that matters
• Consider the elements that make up a great scrutiny culture
• Discuss ‘parity of esteem’ and identify the implications for scrutiny, and the cabinet
• Describe what to expect if you are called to scrutiny as a portfolio holder to provide information