Overview And Scrutiny
Overview and Scrutiny Panels aim to improve the Council’s performance by monitoring, questioning and making recommendations on the way that services are provided and decisions taken.
Overview and Scrutiny Panels question decisions made by the Cabinet and examine particular issues, policies or Council services.
The Panel’s work falls into FOUR broad areas:
Holding the Cabinet to Account
The Panels are charged with holding the Cabinet to account, a key role in executive decision making. This involves ensuring that decisions taken by the Council’s Cabinet are appropriate and within the Council’s policy and financial framework. If any three members of a Panel feel that a decision is inappropriate or contrary to policy or the budget they can “call the decision in” within 5 days of it being made to prevent it from being implemented. They can then discuss the matter formally with the relevant Cabinet Member and Officer and, if necessary, make recommendations to the decision maker to reconsider or amend their decision.
Studies
The Panels carry out detailed, evidence-based assessments of Council services or wider issues which affect the lives of local people. At the end of each study, a Panel will report with recommendations as to how things could be improved. During the course of reviews, Councillors will speak to Cabinet Members and to officers and also to external witnesses to assist them in their information gathering.
Scrutiny of Council Policies
Much of the Scrutiny Panels' work involves the detailed examination of key Council plans and policies, both before and after they have been approved. The Budget, the Corporate Plan and the Sustainable Community Strategy have all come under scrutiny in the last year.
Performance Monitoring
The Panels review the performance of the Council and the achievement of performance indicators and targets on a quarterly basis. They are then able to highlight particular achievements or areas where the Council's performance is not as good as it should be.