Decision

To appoint, (in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Overview and Scrutiny) a Scrutiny Task Group in accordance with Rule 2.8 Part 4D of the Council’s Constitution, to perform the function of a Joint Scrutiny Panel for the purpose of scrutinising the Local Government Reorganisation Portfolio within Gloucestershire. 

Reasons for the decision

1.1    The seven existing Gloucestershire councils (Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucester City Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Stroud District Council, Cotswolds District Council and Forest of Dean District Council) (“the Participating Councils”) are currently progressing work associated with Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

1.2     The Participating Councils have agreed to set up a Joint Scrutiny Panel (“the Joint Scrutiny Panel”) in order to provide accountability for the LGR Portfolio and those charged with delivering it.

1.3     The Joint Scrutiny Panel is established to provide cross-council, non-executive and non decision-making scrutiny of the process for LGR across Gloucestershire, including the arrangements for governance, decision-making, finance, engagement, evidence and transparency.

1.4     The Joint Scrutiny Panel is set up by Cheltenham Borough Council as a Scrutiny Task Group (STG) in accordance with Part 4D para 2.8 of Cheltenham Borough Council’s Constitution. Two Members from each of the Participating Councils will be co-opted onto the STG in accordance with the Terms of Reference for the STG which will be agreed formally at the first meeting of the STG.

Alternative options considered

The Participating Councils could each scrutinise the LGR process individually or a formal joint scrutiny committee or sub-committee could be established.  

These options were considered by the Leaders of the Participating Councils and the option of a Joint Scrutiny Panel hosted by Cheltenham Borough Council was chosen as the preferred option.