Terms of
Reference - Overview & Scrutiny Board
The Overview and
Scrutiny Board will have delegated power to appoint and disband such scrutiny
panels as it thinks fit, and if appropriate after receiving a report from a
scrutiny panel, will exercise the following functions of the Council:-
(a) On behalf of
the Council to scrutinise executive decisions.
(b) On behalf of
the Council to scrutinise recommendations by the Executive to the Council.
(c) Following use
of the Council's Call-in procedure to refer back executive decisions once only,
PROVIDED that the decision in question shall not already have been actioned.
References back must contain details of the Board's concerns together with any
revisions proposed.
(d) To scrutinise
the performance of Council services.
(e) To scrutinise
statutory plans of the Council.
(f) To invite
attendance by appropriate individuals to advise (as an ‘expert witness') the
Board in exercising its role. Such individuals will have expertise in the area
subject to scrutiny; e.g. they may be a service user or a professional in the
relevant discipline.
(g) To question
members of the executive relating to the scrutiny of executive decisions and
recommendations and the performance of Council services.
(h) To question
chief officers, or any other officer after consultation with the chief officer,
relating to the scrutiny of service performance and reports on which executive
decisions are based.
(i) To make
recommendations to the Council on issues arising from scrutiny of executive
decisions, recommendations and performance including for example
recommendations that an area of Council policy should be reviewed. Such
recommendations must be contained in a report which the executive will see, and
have the opportunity to comment on, in draft form before it is finalised and
submitted to Council.
(j) To monitor
compliance with audit, external inspectorate reports following their
consideration and adoption by the Executive and Council.
(k) To scrutinise
and monitor matters relating to Council budgets, audit and resources issues.
(l) To refer any
significant internal control issues to the Corporate Affairs and Audit
Committee.
(m) To review or
scrutinise the decisions made, or other action taken, in connection with the
discharge by the responsible authorities of their crime and disorder functions,
and
(p) To make
reports or recommendations to the local authority with respect to the discharge
of those functions.
(q) To consider
Councillor Calls for Action.
* NB Church and
Parent Governor Co-opted Members will exercise their vote only when the Board
considers any education or education related matters.
Seats: 13 – All Chairs
of Scrutiny Panels are entitled to a seat on the Board. The remainder of the
Board will be politically balanced.
Quorum: 4