TOWN Hall bosses at Warrington are about to embark on a review of the borough council’s executive board and committee structure to bring about a more transparent decision-making structure.
A review process has been drawn up and will be put to the executive board tonight (Monday).
Possible outcomes include a shake-up of existing committees and a reduction in the size of the executive board.
Draft proposals will be discussed at a meeting of the constitutional sub-committee at the end of the month and a report presented to the audit and corporate governance committee on September 22.
A full programme of consultation will take place during October and November and its findings, together with any amendments, will be reported to the executive board on March 12 next year.
The final report on proposals will be made to the full council on March 26 next year.
Back-bench councillors of all parties have been unhappy with the present structure of the council from its earliest days.
It is recognised as being less open and transparent than the previous committee system, although it is claimed it has streamlined council activity.
Leader of the council Terry O’Neill announced in May that a review of the council structure would take place with a view to implementation of a new structure by May next year.
The consultation process will involve all councillors, the corporate governance committee, neighbourhood boards and other key parters such as the police, health and fire services, Golden Gates Housing Trust and third sector agencies.
Cllr Russ Bowden, (pictured) executive member for corporate assignments said: “The aim of this review is to ensure there is greater member involvement in consultation, policy development and scrutiny and that this leads to a more inclusive decision making process.
“It will deliver wider opportunities for member development, building skills, capacity and expertise.
“It is also intended that this new approach will lead to more open and transparent decision making visible to the residents of Warrington, and deliver effective governance and value for money.”
Plan for a more open council
22 Comments
Share.
About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
2 Comments
The need for a more transparent decision-making structure and process in the borough is long overdue. That it is intended to include a greater member involvement in consultation, policy development and scrutiny is to be welcomed. However, it is not unreasonable to expect the “Town Hall bosses at Warrington” are and should be working towards those objectives now, in parallel with the review. Rather than continuing with the ill conceived, badly scrutinized and much criticized procedures which were foisted on the people of Warrington. By all means make the formal announcement in May 2012 but please don’t let anymore Marton Close, Peel Hall and etc. debacles raise their ugly heads or creep below the radar in the interim. We have had our fill of mismanagement and maladministration.
Hear! hear! This present system foisted upon the residents of Warrington by Central Government has simply not worked. It is time that the Council returned to the much tried and tested Committee Structure where residents were able to sit in on meetings and see what Councillors were suggesting. It is also necessary that ALL elected members are included in this process immediately. Why do we have to wait until May 2012 for this sytem to be introduced. Due to all the other mismagement and maladministration that has taken place this should be introduced without delay. If Councillor O’Neill and his Labour colleagues are all for this then they could introduce without the need for a lenghty and costly review period. Lets hope that the new structure can be introduced forthwith.