Local Government scrutiny was created by the Local Government Act 2000 which required every local authority to have a scrutiny function. Scrutiny is a way of holding the council and external service providers to account on behalf of residents. Scrutiny aims to increase accountability by making the decision-making process clear and understandable and to ensure that the decisions being made by the Council are the best option for all those living and working in the borough.
Overview & Scrutiny Committee (OSC)
Enfield Council has an overarching Overview & Scrutiny Committee (OSC) whose main role is to scrutinise the whole of the council’s functions and responsibilities. The OSC coordinates the work of Scrutiny Panels work programmes. Made up of eight Members, OSC ensures that the scrutiny function in Enfield operates smoothly.
Equally important is OSC’s role in hearing ‘call-ins’ and Councillor Call for Actions. Decisions made by the council can be called-in through the scrutiny process for questioning. OSC can decide whether the original decisions should be reconsidered, upheld or referred to Full Council.
Call-in
Councillors who are not on the cabinet can use call-ins to challenge decisions made by the Cabinet, a sub-committee of the cabinet, an individual cabinet member or key decision made by an officer. To call a decision in the councillor must submit a call-in request stating the reason for the call-in and have the signatures of seven other members of the council. A call-in meeting of the OSC will then be held within 14 days where the one of three decisions will be made:
Scrutiny Panels
There are four Scrutiny Panels. The role of the panels is to:
1. To review and scrutinise decisions made, or actions taken by any of the Council’s functions
2. To make reports and recommendations to Full Council and the cabinet
3. To investigate any issues affecting the borough
Scrutiny Panels
Culture and Environment Scrutiny Panel
Healthy and Safe Communities Scrutiny Panel
Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel
Thriving Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel
How to get involved
Members of the public are welcome to attend and participate in scrutiny meetings.
If you would like to suggest a topic for consideration by scrutiny, please email democracy@enfield.gov.uk.
Support officer: Governance, 020 8132 1558 Email: Democracy@enfield.gov.uk.
Phone: 020 8132 1558
Email: Democracy@enfield.gov.uk