Location: County Hall, Exeter and Town Hall, Torquay
Introduction
The Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (DTCCA) is seeking to appoint an independent Chair of its Overview and Scrutiny Committee. This is a key role within the decision-making arrangements of the organisation to ensure that decision making is appropriately focussed on community needs and that high quality delivery is taking place for the whole of the DTCCA area.
The primary role of the Independent Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee is to bring objectivity, impartiality, and experience from outside of the Authority to help achieve a credible, non-political focus on policy development and decision making.
The independent Chair will supplement the knowledge and experience of elected representatives in specific areas such as relevant policy development and provide continuity outside of the political cycle. You will be supported in your role via an induction, which will assist you in understanding the work of the DTCCA and its governance arrangements. You will also be invited to participate in additional relevant training to support your continuing professional development.
About the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority
The Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (DTCCA) is a recently established Combined County Authority, coming into being in February 2025. The DTCCA covers the local authority areas of Devon County Council and Torbay Council, and represents a collaboration between these local authorities, working together through powers and funding granted to it through devolution.
Through our strong partnerships with key stakeholders across the region, we aim to develop a comprehensive set of investment priorities aimed at creating jobs, growing businesses and infrastructure improvements across the region. Our areas of focus will be transport, infrastructure development, housing, delivering on our net zero goals and economic development.
About the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is a statutory regulatory committee of DTCCA and a key component of our decision-making arrangements and governance framework.
The role of the committee is to review the implementation of the DTCCA policy and budget framework, ensure effective scrutiny of tits strategies and policies and consider the scope for improvement and development of new policy.
It will also assess the effectiveness of decisions of the Authority and apply Overview and Scrutiny to the delivery of the Authority’s strategic priorities and objectives in the context of continuous improvement and best value.
Overview and Scrutiny Committee members may make recommendations to the DTCCA board and other committees and call-in decisions that have already been made for further scrutiny and review.
The committee acts as an advocate for the residents of Devon and Torbay by investigating issues that are important to local people and by looking further into matters brought to its attention by the public.
The Committee consists of:
1. An Independent Chair (to which this advert refers)
2. 10 Constituent Councillors (5 from each Constituent Council)
3. 2 Non-Constituent Councillors (nominated from the Devon Districts Forum).
Additional information
You must be eligible for appointment in accordance with the Combined Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Access to Information and Audit Committees) Order 2017, therefore you cannot be:
4. A member, co-opted member or officer of the DTCCA or one of the constituent councils (DCC and TC)
5. A member, co-opted member or officer of a Parish Council for which Devon County Council or Torbay Council is the principal authority
6. A relative or close friend of anyone covered by 1 & 2
7. A member, co-opted member or officer of the DTCCA or one of the constituent councils (DCC and TC) at any point in the 5 years preceding their appointment as Chair
8. A member, co-opted member or officer of a Parish Council for which Devon County Council or Torbay Council is the principal authority at any point in the 5 years preceding their appointment as Chair
Appointees must also agree to abide by the provisions of the Members Code of Conduct while serving on the Committee and upon appointment, complete a Register of Interest, which will be published on the Authority’s website.
Candidates must be over the age of 18, have recognisable ties to the region covered by the DTCCA and be able to attend meetings in the area during the working day.
About the Appointment
Time Commitment
The Committee meets formally in person at least 4 times per year with, additional meetings scheduled if required. There may also be a cycle of informal meetings put in place to assist the Committee in its operation which would be undertaken through Teams to brief members in between formal meetings.
All formal meetings are held at locations across Devon and Torbay on a rotating basis and are webcast, generally lasting up to half a day. Time will also be required for meeting preparation.
Appointment and Allowances
Successful applicants will be appointed for 2 years (renewable once) and remunerated for the services that they provide. An allowance of £4,840 per annum will be paid together with reimbursement for reasonable expenses.