MEMBERS of the public are being asked to put forward the issues relating to life in Middlesbrough they would like investigated.
Middlesbrough Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board consists of a number of panels which undertake detailed, evidence-based reviews of Council services and issues that affect the lives of local people.
Topics covered range from health and social care, education and transport to community safety, housing and leisure.
And now Councillors are keen to hear suggestions from local residents on the areas they would like to see come under the spotlight over the coming year.
In general, topics should relate to community issues that affect the people of the borough and the aim of scrutinising an area is to subsequently influence the way the Council operates for the better and to improve the quality of life of local people.
Councillors will soon decide on the topics they want to look into over the coming year, and members of the public have until Friday, June 26 to submit their suggestions.
Some examples of previous panel investigations include:
Early Help – looking local practices which aim to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families.
Maintenance of Open Spaces – assessing the impact of budget reductions on the maintenance of open spaces across the town.
Private Parking Enforcement – investigating whether private parking enforcement can be better regulated and controlled.
Protecting Children from Sexual Exploitation – assessing how the Council and its partners work together to identify and prevent child sexual exploitation.
Safeguarding Adults in Residential Care – looking at the measures in place to ensure that residential care settings are safe, effective and of high quality.
Wi-Fi Town – exploring the possibility of providing free public wi-fi in Middlesbrough town centre and Council buildings.
Councillor Jean Sharrocks, Chair of Middlesbrough Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board, said: “Scrutiny has an important role to play in ensuring the Council’s decisions, policies and services are accountable and transparent.
“But it’s also a chance to take a broader look at issues that concern the community, and to influence their future direction and delivery.
“Local residents can play a key role in that process by asking us to look at the topics that really matter to them.”
- To suggest a topic for Scrutiny to investigate, email scrutiny@middlesbrough.gov.uk by Friday, June 26.