Introduction to Scrutiny

The national advisory body, the Centre for Public Scrutiny, defines 'scrutiny' as follows:

Public scrutiny is an essential part of ensuring that government remains effective and accountable. Public scrutiny can be defined as the activity by one elected or appointed organisation… examining and monitoring all or part of the activity of a public sector body with the aim of improving the quality of public services.

Scrutiny ensures that decision-making processes are clear and accessible to the public and that the people taking decisions are held accountable for those decisions.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee and its Scrutiny Panels examine the work of the Cabinet and hold it to account in order to help the Council deliver its community vision for the borough.

Their job is to support Council departments in maintaining high service delivery standards, and to steer them towards improved efficiency and effectiveness.

Councils are required by the Local Government Act 2010 to have one or more overview and scrutiny committees as part of their formal political management arrangements.

Overview and scrutiny committees can:

• monitor service delivery and performance
• review policies and practices
• call the Council’s executive (Cabinet) members and chief officers to account for their actions
• scrutinise certain external organisations and agencies (for example, the health service and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships)
• make recommendations to the Council on matters which affect the area or its inhabitants.

Scrutiny Annual Reports describe what work has been done.

Influencing and improving services

Good scrutiny also ensures that there are opportunities for the public to influence and improve the services they receive.

Scrutiny reviews

The Committee and its Panels allow you to have a greater say in Council matters by carrying out in-depth scrutiny reviews into issues of local concern.

Evidence about these local issues is sought from a wide range of outside organisations and local people while the reviews are being carried out.

These reviews generate reports and recommendations which help advise the Cabinet and the Council about policies, budget and service delivery.

View Scrutiny Reviews for information on current reviews or those which have been completed in previous years.

Scrutiny newsletter

Talk Scrutiny newsletters are released regularly and outline recent events, decisions and topical issues.

Making a Difference - the Council's Scrutiny guidance manual

Our manual is aimed primarily at providing scrutiny councillors with information and guidance on the scrutiny function and on good practice for conducting scrutiny work.

It is also of use to others interested in scrutiny matters. If you would like a copy of any section of the manual, please use the contact details on the right-hand side of this page.