Overview and Scrutiny
What is Overview and Scrutiny?
Overview and scrutiny is part of the way in which local authorities are governed by their ‘backbench’ politicians. It is a legal requirement, designed to ensure that decision making in local government is efficient, transparent and accountable, and that the best decisions are taken.
The key roles of overview and scrutiny are:
- To hold the Council’s Executive to account for its decisions and the Council’s performance;
- To review policies adopted by the Council;
- To contribute to the development of new policies; and to review the activities of the National Health Service and other organisations providing services in the Council’s area.
What are the aims of Overview and Scrutiny?
Overview and Scrutiny aims to:
- Ensure decision making is transparent and accountable
- Focus on community priorities and contribute to community leadership
- Encourage wider and more effective interaction and engagement with public and partner organisations
- Improve service performance
- Promote open and unconstrained debate about the Council's decisions and policies
- Empower 'non-executive' councillors
How can Overview and Scrutiny influence Council policy and improve local services?
Overview and Scrutiny can influence council policy in a variety of ways. These might include:
- Discussion of council policy or service performance and quality with Executive Members or lead officers at formal public meetings
- Issues being raised by scrutiny members at informal briefing meetings
- More detailed study or review by a small group of scrutiny members
- Any of these activites could culminate in a formal report with recommendations being put to the body being scrutinised - whether the council or one of its partners.
What does Overview and Scrutiny not do?
Overview and Scrutiny does not deal with individual queries, concerns, or complaints. If you are not satisfied with a service you have received from us then please use the complaints procedure.
Centre for Public Scrutiny
Visit the website of the Centre for Public Scrutiny (CfPS) for a wealth of information on overview and scrutiny. The CfPS has been created to promote the value of scrutiny in modern and effective government by holding executives to account, by creating a constructive dialogue between the public and its elected representatives and by improving the quality of public services.
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