General Role
This explanation is based upon the Council's
constitution, as agreed by Council on April 1st 2009.
Within their terms of reference, the
Overview and Scrutiny Committees, and their sub-committees,
will
(1)
Review and/or scrutinise decisions made or actions taken in
connection with the discharge of any of the Council’s
functions;
(2)
Make reports and/or recommendations to the full Council and/or the
Executive and/or any policy, joint or area committee in connection
with the discharge of any functions;
(3)
Consider any matter affecting the area or its inhabitants; and
(4)
Exercise the right to call-in, for reconsideration, (through the
Overview and Scrutiny Chairmen's Working Group) decisions made but
not yet implemented by the Executive and/or any policy or area
committees.
Specific Functions of Scrutiny Committees
Within their terms of reference,
Overview and Scrutiny Committees, and their sub-committees,
may
(1)
Assist the Council and the Executive in the development of the
Council’s budget and policy framework.
(2)
Review and scrutinise the decisions made by and performance of the
Executive and/or committees and council officers both in relation
to individual decisions and over time;
(3)
Review and scrutinise the performance of the Council in relation to
its policy objectives, performance targets and/or particular
service areas;
(4)
Question members of the Executive and/or committees and chief
officers about their decisions and performance, whether generally
in comparison with service plans and targets over a period of time,
or in relation to particular decisions, initiatives or
projects;
(5)
Make recommendations to the Executive and/or appropriate committee
and/or Council arising from the outcome of the scrutiny
process;
(6)
Review and scrutinise the performance of other public bodies in the
area and invite reports from them by requesting them to address the
overview and scrutiny committee and local people about their
activities and performance;
(7)
Report and make recommendations to the Council or Executive on
matters which affect the Authority’s area or the inhabitants of the
area; and
(8)
Question and gather evidence from any person (with their
consent).
Annual Report
Overview and Scrutiny Committees must report
annually to the Council on their workings and make recommendations
for future work programmes and amended working methods if
appropriate.
