Havering's Overview and Scrutiny Board has recommended a minimum two-year tenure for its members to enhance the effectiveness of scrutiny processes. The board, which met on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, identified that a longer commitment would allow members to gain sufficient experience and expertise.
This recommendation emerged from the board's self-evaluation of its work during the 2025/26 period, detailed in the Report - Self evaluation review 2025.2026. The review highlighted that the length of time members typically serve on scrutiny boards was an area for improvement, with a consensus that one year is insufficient for members to fully grasp their roles and contribute effectively.
Councillor Laurance Garrard, Chairman of the board, noted that it often takes members a significant amount of time to become accustomed to the scrutiny function and to effectively carry out their duties. He observed that the board's work in the current year, which included reviews of financial positions and transformation plans, showed a marked improvement compared to the previous year, suggesting that a longer tenure would foster greater effectiveness.
During the self-evaluation, members expressed that a one-year tenure felt insufficient, with many feeling they were just getting into the swing of their roles by the end of that period. I probably still not used to it three or four well then some reason the items that you take but it's also that ability to know I often get questions around what can we look at what can we ask for and that's that's an observation and it does strike me that you just get into the swing of it if we think about the two years and compare what you've done this year to last year it's significantly different,
one member stated.
While specific instances were not detailed, the sentiment was that members were just getting into the swing of things by the end of their first year. The report also noted that improved joint subcommittee scrutinies and clearer working protocols, discussed at the beginning of a member's tenure, could ease the way forward and redistribute resources and focus more effectively.
The recommendation for a minimum two-year tenure for scrutiny board members will be taken forward to the Cabinet, which will then form the basis of thinking for the next cycle. The exact timeline for a decision or implementation has not yet been specified.
The board's meeting information can be found in the Public reports pack 17th March 2026.