Dear scrutineer, see what you think about this scenario.
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It’s the end of the item on the transport strategy and Vice Chair Jo is inviting the scrutiny committee to agree some conclusions and recommendations.
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Councillor Lewis has his hand up.
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“Can we recommend that we have a briefing note on the active travel plan, please?”
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There is the briefest hint of a frown on Jo’s face, but she catches it before anyone notices.
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“Yes, we can certainly put that in the mix, Councillor Lewis.”
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She’s conflicted though.
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On the one hand it’s good to get some input and to see members engaged with the discussion. Councillor Lewis doesn’t often come forward with much. Yes, contributions should be encouraged and it’s so important that the committee feels in control of the work programme.
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On the other hand, though, it’s not really a recommendation that moves anything forward or affects anything is it? And whilst Councillor Lewis is perhaps looking to learn more about this particular topic, it doesn’t feel like scrutiny. The topic has been covered just now, maybe just not in as much detail as he might like.
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Having parked it for now, she moves onto the next item.
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Later, Jo talks this through with her friend Chairperson Alex who says it sounds familiar:
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“Yeah, I hate clogging up the agenda with briefings but, you never know, there might be something in it.
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“I’d want to see if there was anything to be concerned about. Maybe check with the other committee members and officers if there were any issues worth us looking into around that topic. Then maybe ask for a report on that basis. I mean, if you can see a pattern of concerns then that certainly might be worth the committee’s time.
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“Otherwise, I’d maybe ask for something to be circulated by email or even, if there is an appetite, see if the officers would be happy to do an informal online briefing. Could you even ask that member to lead on looking into it and report back?
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“It’s tricky though”, Alex continues. “I’ve had members use this as a way to get their own political hot potato on the agenda when they just want to gather ammunition and grandstand.
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“I don’t think I have anyone like that on my committee.” says Jo. “They are a good bunch. I just don’t think we’re going to have much impact if we are in a continuous loop of briefing notes. But that’s a good point about finding if there’s an issue.
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“I think maybe next time I’ll ask straight out - ‘ok, what might be the concern here?’
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"And take it from there.

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