It’s the late-night scrutiny phone-in on Governance FM and another caller is on the line.

Councillor Crane: Go ahead caller. I’m listening.

James: Hi Councillor Crane, I’m James, a senior officer, and we’ve got a real problem at our council.

CC: It’s good to hear from you James. Go on.

J: Well, it’s the scrutiny members, they just don’t seem to be engaged. We have two committees, eleven members on each, and we’ve had two meetings out of the last three that have failed to be quorate. Beyond that, those that do turn up just don’t seem to offer that much. I mean, it’s not the main thing, but we have a corporate review coming up next year and, well, it doesn’t look good does it?

CC: That sounds tough, and tough for the councillors as well.

J: It’s not been easy. Everyone is feeling down about the whole situation to be honest.

CC: It sounds like maybe you need to have a couple of conversations if you haven’t already?

J: Yes. Like what?

CC: Maybe you could start with the ones that are involved? After all, they’re the ones that have kept going despite a lack of interest from their colleagues. I’m sure they would appreciate some care and attention. Make sure they have what they need to keep going. No doubt they will also be able to give you some clues about why the others are less engaged and maybe some ideas about what to do.

J. Okay, yes, that sounds like a good idea.

CC: After that, you might talk to those not turning up. Not to reprimand, of course, but out of curiosity. You could ask what’s getting in the way. Perhaps it’s the meeting times? Maybe there is something going on for them right now that makes it difficult to attend? Maybe they just got put on the committee without being asked - they wouldn’t be the first! Either way, see if they can give you more clues about what might be done differently.

J: Actually, I know one of the members has just started a new job. I might check in with her group leader about that.

CC: And that’s the other conversation that might help. Once you’ve got a better picture of what’s going on it would be good to find out what the group leaders think and maybe start working on a couple of options with them.

J: On that, we had been wondering if we needed two committees and whether they were too big.

CC: Certainly worth thinking about. One idea is to take stock of how many active scrutiny members you think you’ve got and work out the structures with that in mind. Far better, I’d say, than trying to populate a bigger structure with unwilling volunteers! You can always bring other members in as co-optees or as members of informal task and finish groups, for example. That way it’s easier to match the work to the availability and interests of busy members.

J: Yeah, that makes sense. Thanks Councillor Crane!

CC: And thanks to you James for calling. It’s been a pleasure.

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