What is Overview and Scrutiny
Overview and Scrutiny is a key part of the local democratic
decision making process. It takes an overview of the local
community and the community services delivered by the local
statutory partners, the voluntary sector and the private sector and
hones in on particular issues of concern. The Overview
and Scrutiny Board acts as a commissioning body and has the power
to authorise policy reviews.
It is led by elected councillors, who carry out work both in
committee and outside of the formal committee process.
Overview and Scrutiny members are not members of the Council’s
Cabinet and do not make executive decisions, but they are
independent of the Cabinet and can make recommendations for policy
development and improvement.
It does not just look at the way the Council does things, it can
look at anything which affects the lives of people within the
District and it allows citizens to have a greater say in Council
matters.
The Overview and Scrutiny process draws on evidence from Cabinet
Members, Council Officers and also outside the Council. In
order for Overview and Scrutiny to be a success, the Council cannot
work in isolation and so it calls on the expertise and knowledge of
local people, service partners and community groups to ensure the
Council delivers effective services.
For more information about what has been achieved in Overview
and Scrutiny at the Council in recent years please read the
Board's Annual Report and Newsletters:
Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2010-2011
Download a
copy of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2010-2011
here.
Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report
2009-2010
Download a copy of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report
2009-2010 here.
Overview and Scrutiny Newsletter
Download a copy of the Overview and Scrutiny Newsletter Winter 2011
here.
