citizen smith? councillors as citizen and community champions
DESCRIPTION
by Jessica Crowe, Executive Director, Centre for Public ScrutinyTRANSCRIPT
Citizen Smith? Councillors as Citizen and Community Champions
Rewiring West Midlands Conference6 December 2013
Jessica CroweCentre for Public Scrutiny
contents
• A bit about CfPS• Challenges – austerity, Francis, leadership of place• What’s in a name: Commissioning or Co-operative?• Councillors and citizens• Rethinking scrutiny• some case studies• Stay in touch: we can help!
A bit about CfPS
Founded in 2003 to:• Advocate and promote the concept of scrutiny• Provide practical guidance and development• Facilitate national networks• Create a national centre of expertise
Now an independent charity, we provide: • On-line services (on-line library, scrutiny exchange,
newsletters, blog, twitter)• Training, facilitation, evaluation, improvement support• Publications and events
accountability, transparency, involvement
CfPS: Accountability Works! 2010
the challenge: “be original or die!”
Pace of change:- austerity- changing relationships
between citizen, service-user & state
- greater diversity of service provision
- issues of trust & leadership
challenge of austerity
Annual Survey 2012-13:- officer support at lowest
level since 2004- discretionary budgets
down too- more support shared
with dem services- implications for
effectiveness and value
what does survey suggest as way to respond to austerity?
- Councils with fewer committees more effective – less bureaucratic / more focused on outcomes
- Monitoring recommendations leads councils to feel scrutiny is more impactful and valued
- Dedicated specialist scrutiny support does lead to more effective, valued scrutiny
- Focus on external / partner scrutiny correlates with councils feeling more optimistic
- Less is more: encourage prioritisation
challenge of Francis & Keogh
- HOSCs need “appropriate support” & “accessible guidance”
- improve coordination between HOSCs, Healthwatch & HWBs
- complaints monitoring & hearing patient experience
Government response only
promises guidance…
Rest is up to you!
co-operative or commissioning?what’s in a name
• Whatever you call it, many councils changing how they plan and deliver services
• Challenges for cllrs are:• Be clear about outcomes
you want to see• Set up governance to
ensure continued democratic oversight
• How will citizens’ / service-users be heard?
accountability of local govt:who will stand up for citizens?
accountability upwards to gov’t & regulators: a mixed picturelocal papers in terminal declinewill transparency of spending data lead to “citizen auditors”?citizen journalists and hyper-local bloggers: the new Citizen Smiths?whistle-blowers and complaints: personal sacrifice demanded
=> Councillors remain crucial for citizens
what do councillors add?
councillors holding the ring in ‘web of accountability’
• Have legitimacy – but have to earn credibility?
• Networked councillor – not just about technology
• Potential to have more influence but less control
• Are your councils set up to support you in this role?
• Have you rethought your role in new context?
rethinking and innovating scrutiny:demonstrating Return on Investment
The model is based on five stages of a “scrutiny journey”, utilising a variety of tools:
1. Identifying and short listing topics
2. Prioritisation3. Stakeholder engagement and
scoping4. Undertaking the review,
measuring impact and calculating the ROI
5. Making recommendations using ROI and influencing services
ROI approach helped six areas save around £1.7m – replicable
Area Potential savings and return on investment Return on investment
Newham £455,000 total£90 for every £1 spent on the
review
Westminster £1,196,866 annually£329 for every £1 spent on the
review
Southwark £20,930 total£11.52 for every £1 spent on
the review
South Somerset £5,440 total£3.40 for every £1 spent on the
review
Adur and Worthing £415 per person£0.37 for every £1 spent on the
review (based on 1 person)
Warrington £17,389 per person£5 for every £1 spent on the review (based on 1 person)
case study 1: how S Somerset used scrutiny ROI to tackle inequality & save money
South Somerset:- facilitate networks- focus on patient
experience & access- link bigger picture to
local experience- provide neutral space- champion marginalised
case study 2: schools improvement and role of councillors
Back to School:- exemplifies ‘power thro
influence’ argument- collaboration between LGA,
CfPS & 8 LAs- scrutiny can help councils
deliver responsibilities for schools improvement
- ward councillors, school governors, O&S: all have role
case study 3: Boston and community focused scrutiny
I have read lots of council reports and this was a revelation to me. It is the first council report I have ever read which actually, in plain English, defuses and throws a light on a situation which many people who don’t know Boston and look at it from the outside think is potentially explosive. I found the report not only well presented and well written but eminently sensible. You did in one what it would take central Government a long time to do. Local Police Commissioner
Boston video
stay in touch
e: [email protected]: 020 7187 7362w: www.cfps.org.uktwitter: @cfpscrutinyblog: www.cfps.org.uk/blog
We can help!• member training & development• reviewing & improving scrutiny• sign up for guides, updates & policy briefings