Committee details

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

• Crime and Safety
• Environment, Parks & Leisure
• Children’s Services
• Adult Social Services
• Housing
• Health

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