Overview and Scrutiny
Chapter 40: Overview and Scrutiny Committee Terms of Reference
Summary Description:The Council will appoint an Overview and Scrutiny Committee to discharge the functions:
to review or scrutinise decisions made in connection with the discharge of Executive functions;
to make reports or recommendations to the Council or Cabinet with respect to the discharge of Executive functions;
to review or scrutinise decisions made in connection with the discharge of non-executive functions; and
to make reports or recommendations to the Council or to Cabinet on matters affecting the Council’s area or its citizens.
Grants scrutiny will be the responsibility of the OSC committee, under the remit of the Scrutiny Lead for Resources.
The aim is to make the decision-making process more transparent, accountable and inclusive, and improve services for people by being responsive to their needs.
Membership:9 non-executive councillors – including the chair and leads from Sub Committees.Two non-voting Co-Optees may also be appointed.
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Functions | Delegations of Functions |
|---|---|
1. To discharge the functions conferred by sections 9F to 9FI of the Local Government Act 2000; or any functions which may be conferred on it by virtue of regulations undersection 244(2ZE)of the National Health Service Act 2006 (local authority scrutiny of health matters) in accordance with the arrangements specified for the discharge of the Overview and Scrutiny function and the establishment of an Overview and Scrutiny Committee contained within Sections 9 and 30 of the Constitution | None |
2. Reviewing and/or scrutinising decisions made or actions taken in connection with the discharge of the Council’s functions | None |
3. Advising the Mayor or Cabinet of key issues/questions arising in relation to reports due to be considered by the Mayor or Cabinet | None |
4. Making reports and/or recommendations to the Council and/or Mayor or Cabinet in connection with the discharge of its functions | None |
5. Delivering (3) by organising an annual work programme, drawing on the knowledge and priorities of the Council, registered providers and other stakeholders, that will identify relevant topics or issues that can be properly scrutinised | None |
6. Holding service providers to account, where recent performance fails to meet the recognised standard, by looking at relevant evidence and make recommendations for service improvements | None |
7. Considering strategic matters affecting the area or its inhabitants, including where these matters have been brought to the attention of the sub-committee by tenant and resident associations, or members of the general public | None |
8. In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme:(a) To require a Chief Officer to give evidence to the Committee on a matter that is the subject of a petition including 1,000 or more valid signatures (the Committee will also invite the relevant Executive Member to the meeting); and(b) To undertake a review if a petition organiser feels the authority’s response to their petition was inadequate | None |
9. On behalf of the Council to establish and make appointments to any joint overview and scrutiny committee | None |
10. To consider any local government matter referred to the Committee by a Councillor in accordance with Section 9FC(c) of the Local Government Act 2000 which is not relevant to the functions of the committee and is not an excluded matter. | None |
Quorum: Three members of the Committee