Overview and scrutiny

Overview and scrutiny of council decisions, policy and performance.

Purpose of scrutiny

Overview and scrutiny gives councillors outside the executive a structured way to examine how the council is working. It supports democratic accountability by allowing policy, performance and executive decisions to be considered in public and by enabling recommendations to be made for improvement.

Scrutiny is not intended to manage services day to day or duplicate the role of the executive. Its value comes from independent examination, evidence and challenge.

What scrutiny can examine

The detailed remit of Greenhaven scrutiny will be set by the council’s constitution and committee arrangements. In practice, scrutiny will be capable of examining council policy, service performance, significant decisions and issues affecting Greenhaven that fall within the council’s legitimate interests.

Evidence and public information

Good scrutiny depends on accessible evidence. Reports will make clear the issue being examined, the information considered and the conclusions or recommendations reached. Where the public or partner organisations contribute, that evidence will be recorded appropriately.

Relationship with executive decision making

Scrutiny examines executive decisions, policy and performance without taking over the executive role. The Greenhaven constitution will show the routes available to scrutiny, including any arrangements for reviewing or referring executive decisions.

Current position

No Greenhaven scrutiny committee membership or programme is currently published because the council has not commenced. Those details will be added once the council’s constitution, committee structure and membership are in force.

Scrutiny work programme

Once Greenhaven Council is operating, the scrutiny pages will show the bodies responsible for scrutiny, their membership, scheduled meetings and current work programme. Reviews will identify the question being examined, the evidence considered, any witnesses or organisations contributing and the recommendations made.

Responses and further review

Scrutiny recommendations will be linked to the response from the executive or other body responsible. Where further action or a later review is agreed, the public record will show that alongside the original scrutiny work.