Course Description

Strengthen your scrutiny to unlock better outcomes. Effective overview and scrutiny is fundamental to good governance, transparency, and informed decision‑making. This focused two‑hour training session helps councillors deepen their understanding of scrutiny’s purpose, potential, and practical application as well as tackle common barriers to good practice.

You will learn how to:

• Understand the legislation, guidance and purpose of overview and scrutiny
• Clarify roles, aims and the constitutional context
• Build a focused, strategic work programme
• Strengthen the relationship between Cabinet and scrutiny
• Use practical techniques to engage the public and partners effectively
• Identify the core skills, behaviours and approaches needed for impactful scrutiny

Overview of Course Content

Understanding an overview of the potential of overview and scrutiny

• The legislation and guidance
• The aims and roles of Overview and Scrutiny
• Constitutional issues, the role of call-in and measuring impact

Process to develop a focused and strategic overview and scrutiny work programme

• Defining priorities
• Topic selection and creating balance

Reflecting on the relationship between the cabinet and overview and scrutiny

• Guiding principles and risks
• Fostering good practices

Engaging public and partners in overview and scrutiny

• Exploring the benefits and risks
• Appropriate techniques

Scrutiny Skills

• Identifying what is required

Taking the learning forward

• Developing an action plan focused on an outcome from the session e.g. fostering better relationships with cabinet, prioritising work programme topics or completing deep dive activities

Facilitator

Kirsty Hunt – Governance, Development & Consultancy Manager

Kirsty joined SEE with over 20 years’ experience in local government, having previously worked as a Democratic Services Manager and governance lead. She is skilled in navigating politically sensitive environments and supporting councillors through complex and challenging situations.

An ACAS-trained mediator, Kirsty uses strong interpersonal and negotiation skills to build trust and foster constructive relationships. She has extensive experience in governance policy, scrutiny, and political protocol development, and has led councillor development strategies that improve outcomes and shift organisational culture.

Kirsty is adept at interpreting legislation, supporting constitutional updates, and creating accessible toolkits and training to promote good governance. She has delivered complex projects including major electoral events, remote meeting implementation, and councillor ICT refresh programmes—balancing technical delivery with cultural change and clear communication.

Kirsty Hunt: Biography – South East Employers

Cost of Session

EMC Members – £80.00 + VAT per person
£90.00 + VAT per person for Associate Members; and
£110.00 + VAT per person for non-members.

Please ensure that you provide a purchase order number when booking, this can be obtained from your Democratic Services Team.

Deadline for booking: 1st June 2026

Contact Us – if you have any other questions regarding this session, please contact Mila – Mila.Pereira@emcouncils.gov.uk or Lisa – Lisa.butterfill@emcouncils.gov.uk