Please
click here for further Information.
The six Scrutiny Panels are key
to delivering better services. They have an independent leadership
role in working with the public to look at the effectiveness and
efficiency of the Councils' services. The Panels determine their
annual work programmes on the basis of what issues are important to
local people. These work programmes are agreed by the Overview
& Scrutiny Committee and the Council, after consultation with
the Cabinet and the Council's Management Team. The Panels are able
to consider specific services in detail and recommend any changes.
The Scrutiny Panels have
extensive rights and powers to play an effective role. The Panels
have the right to information from the Cabinet; they may comment
and advise the Cabinet on any new proposals; make recommendations
to the Council and publish reports. The Panels are also able to
call witnesses, appoint independent experts and hold enquiries.
They are not decision-making bodies, but make recommendations to
the Cabinet and to full Council.
All the Scrutiny Panels are
cross party and two out of the six Panels are chaired by Members of
the Opposition Party. Sharing responsibilities across parties
reflects the Council's commitment to a more inclusive style of
working.
Overview & Scrutiny Committee
The council has set up an
Overview & Scrutiny
Committee made up of the chairmen of the six panels (see
below). The committee has a planning, leadership and co-ordination
role in relation to scrutiny as a whole. It also deals with
decisions which are "called-in" for review under the councils
constitution.
Scrutiny Panel Remits
Opportunities for public
involvement:
- Meetings are open to the public
- Annual work programmes are influenced by issues
important to local people
- Evidence can be given to the panels on their
work programme items
- Co-optees can be invited to join the
Panels
- Independent experts can be invited
Scrutinising individual decisions of the executive
Panels have the powers
to:
- seek more understanding of the decision and its
implications
- question the soundness of the
decision
make recommendations to the
Council, the Cabinet and the Council's Management