Scrutiny

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Scrutiny

Tamworth Borough Council Scrutiny

What is Scrutiny?

Scrutiny is the mechanism for local accountability of public services. It is carried out by non-executive members of the Council and other co-opted members were applicable.

Scrutiny at the Council is Member led and:

• examines whether the Council’s Cabinet is acting in the public interest - by holding the cabinet to account, reviewing Cabinet decisions, acting as a ‘critical friend’ and through use of "the call-in procedure" if there is concern about the way in which decisions have been made;

• impacts on the delivery of public services - by contributing to reviews of services or policies, or by carrying out scrutiny reviews / studies to develop new policies. Members are keen to listen to a range of views, including the views of the public;

• reflects the views and concerns of communities and the public – by considering issues of community concern and performance against the shared priorities of the Council and the Community.

Scrutiny Committees can ask questions, and gather information - for example, about decisions, policies, and services - and can then suggest improvements. Scrutiny Committees can look at the Council services and also a range of other issues that affect local people. And it is encouraged for Tamworth People to get involved.

SCRUTINY IN ACTION LATEST REPORT....published Tamworth Herald Thursday 6th March 2008

Youth Centre Faces the Bull Dozers?

The DEMOLITION of the Wilnecote Youth Centre cannot be ruled out when the building and land it stands on is sold the local council has been told at a special External Scrutiny Committee Meeting. News that the victorian ex-school building could be razed to the ground due to the county council cost saving excercise has angered town leaders.

But with the youth service provision slashed by 1.2 million across the county from April 2008, simple economics means the land may well go to the highest bidder for development.

"We are looking for alternative premises but have yet to find one" said Gill Wright of Staffordshire Youth Service.

Addressing the External Scrutiny Committee at Tamworth Borough Council last weekk with the head of the Youth Service Kim Jones, Gill Explained "we also have to consider whether the building is what the youth of Wilnecote want. We will continue to provide a youth service, but we dont necessarily need to do that in a building."

"Some young people we've spoken to have been sitting in school all day and tell us they dont want to be in doors in the evenings."

As an alternative to the current brick building, the county is planning to provide pre-fabricated 'pods' which can be used by those aged 13-19 who fall under the youth service remit.

But this plan failed to win favour with councillors at the meeting. "It seems to me we want something more substantial than a pod" Said Cllr Munn

"We are withdrawing something and need something to put in its place. We need to give our youth something to do, somewhere to meet, and if we take provision awayy were leaving a complete void."

Speaking from the public gallery Wilnecote Councillor Brian Bealle said "Were contemplating knocking down good long standing buildings when a saving of 1.2 Million across the county is about 16,000 per youth centre across staffordshire. To knock down a building to save 16k is abit much."

Committee Chairman Cllr Lee Bates added "If the building and land are sold it could be developed and the development would bring more youth to the area. We are looking a t situation where the youth could increase but youth provision will go down. Its a catch 22 situation and seems like the County service can not afford to keep the building but will also be in no position financially to buy back into the area after it has been sold."

Kim Jones head of the youth service in Staffordshire said"There are no easy answers and I'm not going to come here and be blase pretending there are."

Tamworths remaining youth centre bases - Tamyouth, the Kerria Centre in Amington and Glascote Youth Service will be unaffected by the Youth Service funding cuts.

Promoted by Cllr Lee Bates, 88 Castlehall, Glascote, Tamworth, Staffs B77 2EG - 07794049312