A GUIDE TO OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY OF COUNTY COUNCIL FUNCTIONS IN LEICESTERSHIRE
APPENDIX ‘D’CHECKLIST FOR CONSIDERING/CHALLENGING THE CONTENTS OF REPORTS (OTHER THAN PLANS)
[The list of questions set out is not comprehensive. Some of the questions will not be relevant in all cases.]
PURPOSE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
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1.
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Does the report set out clearly what is proposed and why the matter is before the Scrutiny Committee?
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2.
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Does the report set out the statutory basis for providing the service?
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3.
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Are the aims and objectives clear and if so are they consistent with the Medium Term Corporate Strategy or other agreed plans and strategies?
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SERVICE ENVIRONMENT – Service Development
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4.
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Does the report set out the current need/demand for the service and the future needs/demands?
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5.
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Have the current and potential users of the service been consulted and, if so, are their views reflected in the proposed service provision. Have other stakeholders and local members been consulted?
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6.
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What evidence is there to demonstrate that the proposed method of delivering the service is the most effective way? What alternative methods of delivery have been examined and why have they been rejected?
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7.
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Is the proposed service to be delivered countywide? If it is targeted to a specific area are there reasons why? Are there plans to roll out the service countywide and, if so, is there a timescale for doing this?
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8.
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Are there any issues relating to partnership or the commissioning or procurement of services?
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SERVICE ENVIRONMENT – Service Reduction
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9.
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Does the report set out a justification for a reduction in the service? e.g. lower demand or current method of service provision inappropriate?
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10.
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Is the reduction/withdrawal of the service to be phased?
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11.
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What alternative provision is being made available to existing service users? Who will be providing the service? Is this alternative going to be in place before the existing service is withdrawn?
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12.
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Have service users been consulted and have their views been taken into account? Have other stakeholders and local members been consulted and have their views been taken into account?
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13.
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Are there any issues relating to partnership or the commissioning or procurement of services?
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14.
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Have the staff been consulted and have their views been taken into account?
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FINANCIAL/STAFFING IMPLICATIONS - Service Development
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15.
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Are the proposals adequately resourced? If the service development is to be phased in is there a commitment for making resources available in future years?
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16.
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Does the report make allowances for the resource implications of changes in the service environment e.g. landfill tax, minimum wage, working hours directive, national service standards etc?
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17.
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Will it be possible to recruit staff or commission services from elsewhere? Have the ICT implications been fully considered?
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FINANCIAL STAFFING IMPLICATIONS - Service Reduction
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18.
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Will staff transfer to other agencies/sections? Are there any redundancies likely as a result? How many and will these be voluntary or compulsory?
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19.
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What are the costs savings likely to result from the proposals? How are these to be utilised – e.g. investment in alternatives?
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IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING
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20.
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What arrangements are in place to consult service users on implementation of the service?
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21.
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What arrangements are in place to advise staff, other departments or agencies of the proposals and expectations of the service?
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22.
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Does the report set out a range of performance indicators or standards so that performance can be measured against objectives?
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23.
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Are the performance measures sufficiently challenging?
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24.
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What arrangements are to be put in place to monitor progress towards objectives and against service standards and how and to whom will progress be reported?
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25.
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If implementation is phased across the County, what criteria have been used to determine priorities? Do these take into account all relevant factors e.g. building stock, deprivation factors and equal opportunities?
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