Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The Council has appointed an Overview and Scrutiny Committee to discharge the functions conferred by Section 9F of the Local Government Act 2000. This Committee is also the Council’s designated crime and disorder committee under Section 19 of the Police and Justice Act 2006.   The work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be informed by the following principles:   (i)            Constructive “critical friend” challenge (ii)           Amplifies the voices and concerns of the Public (iii)          Led by independent people who take responsibility for their role; and (iv)          Drives improvement in public services

  General terms of reference:   (a) to perform all overview and scrutiny functions on behalf of the Council; (b) to appoint such formal sub-committees and informal task and finish groups as it considers appropriate to fulfil those overview and scrutiny functions; (c) to approve the overview and scrutiny work programme so as to ensure that the Committee’s time is effectively and efficiently utilised; (d) to undertake investigations into such matters relating to the Council’s functions and powers as:   (i) may be referred by the Leader/Executive; or (ii) the Committee may consider appropriate.   (e) to consider petitions received under the adopted Petition Scheme that fall into the following categories:  

·         petitions requiring a senior officer to give evidence to the Committee; and

·         a request from a petition organiser, who is not satisfied with the Council’s response to a petition, for a review of the adequacy of the steps taken or proposed to be taken in response to the petition.