Introduction
There are four Overview and Scrutiny
Committees who support the work of the Executive and the Council as
a whole. They allow citizens to have a greater say in Council
matters by holding inquiries into matters of local concern. These
lead to reports and recommendations which advise the Executive and
the Council as a whole on its policies, budget and service
delivery. Overview and Scrutiny Committees also monitor the
decisions of the Executive. The Scrutiny process allows for a
decision which has been made by the Executive but not yet
implemented to be ‘called in’. This enables them to consider
whether the decision is appropriate. Members may recommend that the
Executive reconsider the decision. They may also be consulted by
the Executive or the Council on forthcoming decisions and the
development of policy.
The committees are:
Family and Children's Services Overview & Scrutiny
Committee
This committee deals with matters relating to the provision of
education, life long learning and social services. Follow this link to find our more about this
committee.
Communities and Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee
This committee deals with matters relating to
the provision of council services in communities of Northumberland.
Follow this link to find our more about
this committee.
Economic Prosperity and Strategic Services Overview &
Scrutiny Committee
This committee deals with matters relating to
economic development and the council’s corporate services.
Follow this link to find our more about
this committee.
Care and Well Being Overview & Scrutiny Committee
This committee deals with matters relating to
the provision of health services in Northumberland and the general
well being of its residents. Follow this link to find our more about this
committee.
Overview & Scrutiny Chairmen's Working Group
In addition to the formal scrutiny committees,
the Overview and Scrutiny Chairmen's Working Group oversees the
work of the committees.
The purpose of the Working Group is to:
- To co-ordinate the
Overview and Scrutiny function of the Council;
- To meet after the Executive meeting and
consider referral of any Executive Report to scrutiny as
appropriate;
- To determine which matters fall within
the remit of each Overview and Scrutiny Committee;
- To scrutinise exceptional issues
falling outside the remit of the 4 Scrutiny Committees;
- To supervise Call-in;
- To consider “Councillor Calls for
Action” not resolved at area level;
- To consider and refer issues raised by
Area Committees as appropriate;
- To provide liaison with the executive
in the interests of achieving common aims and continuous
improvement for the Council.
The Working Group is chaired by Councillor Peter Jackson, Leader of
the Conservative and Independent Group and comprises the chairs and
vice-chairs of the four Overview and Scrutiny Committees. The
Secretary to the Executive also attends its meetings.
Further Information
For more information about what scrutiny is,
please visit our ‘What is Scrutiny’ section.
More detailed terms of reference for each committee and details of
their meetings can be found on the individual committee pages. In
general, the role of the scrutiny committees as defined
by the council’s constitution can be found by following this
link.
For
details of all council meetings, please click here.
