Introduction
1.
The Committee supports the work of the Cabinet and
holds it to account. It does this through pre and post decision
scrutiny.
2.
Pre-decision scrutiny involves examining issues and
offering advice to Cabinet on matters that Cabinet is due to
consider.
3.
Post-decision scrutiny happens through the
“call-in” process set out in Article 6 of the
constitution and involves reviewing decisions that Cabinet has
taken, but not yet implemented, and deciding whether to recommend
that Cabinet reconsiders the decision it has taken.
4.
The Committee also supports the work of the
authority as a whole by scrutinising
important matters of community interest that are within the remit
of the authority’s functions and powers and making
recommendations to Cabinet and Council.
5.
The Committee has no decision-making powers and
cannot scrutinise individual regulatory or quasi-judicial
issues.
6.
Where appropriate, the Committee will undertake
joint reviews with other organisations.
Terms
of Reference
Pre-Decision and General
Scrutiny
7.
To provide the main forum for the Council’s
scrutiny work, focusing on activities within the Council’s
remit that improve outcomes for local people
8.
To approve an annual overview and scrutiny work
programme and keep it under constant review. The work programme
must include the programme of any task and finish groups it intends
to convene, to ensure that the Committee’s work plan is
realistic, proportionate and deliverable within the resources that
Council has made available to the Committee.
9.
To receive and action requests from the Cabinet and
Council to scrutinise issues.
10.
To investigate matters within the remit of the
Council and make recommendations to Council and Cabinet.
Post-Decision
Scrutiny
11.
To exercise the powers contained within Section
21(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 (review of Cabinet decisions
not yet implemented) in accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure
Rules.
Annual Reports
12.
To provide an annual report to Council setting out
the work completed by the Committee in the previous year. This
report will be considered at the last ordinary Council meeting of
each municipal year.
Chairing
Arrangements
13.
The Chair shall be a member of the Opposition and
the Vice Chair a member of the Administration.
