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Scrutiny

Scrutiny

Local government scrutiny coordination

The Accounts Commission and its partners are committed to letting people know how the work to coordinate the scrutiny of local government is developing.

This page holds further details of the activity being carried out and information on the progress we are making against key milestones. This information will be updated regularly.

Following the publication of the Crerar report in September 2007, the Scottish Government’s response stated its aim of establishing a simplified and coherent approach to delivering local government scrutiny. A key aspect of this agenda is to better coordinate and streamline scrutiny and achieve greater effectiveness, whilst at the same time protecting the independence of scrutiny bodies. To address these aims, the Scottish Government has put in place a number of initiatives including:

  • establishing the Scrutiny Improvement Programme Board to oversee the Scottish Government’s response
  • setting up five fixed term thematic action groups (Reducing Burdens, Accountability and Governance, User Focus, Complaints Handling and Policy and Approaches)
  • announcing restructuring plans for scrutiny bodies in November 2008.

In February 2008, the Accounts Commission was asked to take on the transitional gatekeeping role in respect of the scrutiny of local government. The local government scrutiny coordination strategic group was established to set priorities and oversee development activity. The following key priorities were subsequently agreed:

  • Improving the planning and scheduling of scrutiny activity.
  • Developing a single corporate assessment.
  • Implementing a shared risk assessment framework.

The strategic group established an operational group to carry out the necessary detailed work in respect of these priorities. The group is made of representatives from Her Majesties Inspectorate of Education (HMIE), Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA), National Health Service Quality Improvement Service (NHS QIS), Care Commission, Scottish Housing Regulator, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and Audit Scotland.

These arrangements mark a fundamental shift away from scrutiny based on standard inspections undertaken on a cycle. We are working with colleagues in all scrutiny bodies that engage with local government to establish a shared assessment of the risks in each council and to develop a range of proportionate approaches in response to the risk assessment. We aim to place self evaluation at the heart of this approach and have already started introducing changes in how we work.