Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Scrutiny is an independent councillor-led function working with local people to improve services through in-depth investigation of poor performance.   The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has the following power and duties:  

1.            To oversee an agreed work programme that can help secure service improvement through in-depth investigation of poor performance and the development of an effective strategy/policy framework for the council and partners;

2.            To have general oversight of the council’s scrutiny function;

3.            To offer challenge and critical support to the Executive’s policy development function and the long-term strategic direction of the borough;

4.            To anticipate policy changes and determine their potential impact on residents and to recommend changes where these are appropriate;

5.            To consider the council and partners’ strategic approach to service delivery, using, where necessary, the power of overview and scrutiny committees to receive information from partner agencies and to require partner authorities to respond to reports and recommendations from the Committee, as set out under Part Five of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007;

6.            To undertake detailed investigation of service/financial performance in order to recommend policy changes to the Executive and to commission investigations by the Performance and Finance Sub-Committee;

7.            To have regard, in carrying out its functions, to the requirement to involve local representatives, as set out in Part Seven of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007;

8.            To report scrutiny findings and recommendations to the Executive within 8 weeks of being published or to its next meeting, whichever is the sooner, in accordance with the council’s constitution

9.            To consider items included in the Forward Plan;

10.         To consider Councillor Call for Action in terms of

a.      Local Government Matters (Section 119, Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007)

b.      Local Crime & Disorder Matters (Section 19, Police & Justice Act 2006)

11.         To discharge the functions conferred by Section 21(f) of the Local Government Act 2000 of reviewing and scrutinising, in accordance with regulations under Section 7 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001, matters relating to the planning, provision and operation of health services in Harrow.

12.         To respond to consultations from local health trusts, Department of Health and any organisation which provides health services outside the local authority’s area to inhabitants within it.

13.         To review and make appropriate recommendations on an annual basis for the arrangements for processing applications for support from the voluntary sector, including grants, concessionary lettings, use of the community premises and other council premises, and discretionary rate relief.  

Information on how to submit a petition, deputation or public question is available on the council website.