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Folkestone council proposes changes to overview and scrutiny committee
11:52, 15 May 2020
updated: 12:02, 15 May 2020
Changes are being proposed to the way Folkestone council's overview and scrutiny committee meet and discuss key items, after its current set up was deemed unsatisfactory.
A presentation is due to be made at Tuesday's (May 19) meeting of the group - which will be held virtually - by Folkestone and Hythe District Council's (FHDC) chief executive Dr Susan Priest.
But documents released ahead of the meeting show that the "drivers" for change include the current arrangement being "not satisfactory", with "pre-scrutiny of cabinet reports" taking place only the night before a cabinet decision is made described as 'ineffective'.
The literature adds that "scrutiny should be advisory, with involvement in shaping council policy, to influence decision-making on major issues facing the council" and that "scrutiny is best undertaken without political interference".
The role of the overview and scrutiny committee is to develop and review policy and make recommendations to the council.
The proposed changes include the reduction in the number of meetings from 11 to only five or six a year and the committee to focus on a list of 12 clearly scoped topics, allowing for "a deep dive into two topics per meeting".
FHDC believes this will allow committee members to focus more on pre-scrutiny at an early stage and "not just act as a rubber stamp".
Chair of the committee Cllr Rebecca Shoob (Green) is supportive of the move.
She said: "Going forward it is right to look at how the committee is run. It's a bit of a refresh."
Members are expected to discuss the proposal on the night, as well as the other items on the agenda which include the new 'Play Area Strategy'.
The meeting will be the first ever one held virtually by FHDC and has been organised as part of the measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
Members will gather remotely at 7pm, with the entire event to be broadcast live on YouTube.
Other meetings due to be streamed online in the coming weeks are planning on May 26 and cabinet on May 27.
Residents can watch the council meetings live at bit.ly/YouTubeMeetings
