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What is Overview and Scrutiny?

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Overview & Scrutiny A Quick Explanation

Overview & Scrutiny is part of the new political process that was introduced in 2000 by the government to modernise the way local authorities conduct their business. It plays a vital role in the decision-making and policy development processes at Central Bedfordshire Council and is an innovative development in the democratic process because it gives an independent view.

Effectively, the Scrutiny process is like the Council having its own 'watchdog'. It's a process that provides a chance to get a second opinion on key decisions made by the Council's Executive. It can also be used to question existing practices of the Council or any other public services causing concern or to review any of the Council's policies.

How Overview & Scrutiny fits in with the Council’s Other Political Structures

Council

The full Council, comprising elected Members, is the supreme body. Amongst other duties, full Council sets the Budget (and Council Tax) and policy framework within which all decisions must sit. It appoints the Leader of the Council, who then selects other Members to form the Council's Cabinet, collectively known as the Executive. It also appoints Members to each of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

The Executive

The Executive, consisting of the Leader and Executive Members, takes decisions on the Council's services. Each Executive Member has their own portfolio area for which they are responsible.

All decisions of the Executive must be in line with the overall budget and policy framework set by the Council.

Overview and Scrutiny

Full Council also appoints the Overview and Scrutiny Committees who have the responsibility of holding the Executive to account for their decisions and to guide policy making. The Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordination Panel (OSCP) oversees the work programme of the Committees.

By monitoring the decisions made by the Executive and looking at the quality of the services received by residents they help improve the quality of life in Central Bedfordshire.

Overview & Scrutiny A More Detailed Look

Overview & Scrutiny is a process which questions key decisions made by the Council's Executive and officers. It's a common sense approach to reviewing decisions and policies and considering whether they are right for Central Bedfordshire. Not only does it provide a means to review the council's own achievements against its planned targets but it also enables reviews to be carried out in relation to services provided by other public organisations on issues causing public concern. It does all this with a view to involving local people.

The Overview & Scrutiny process provides the opportunity for Members to examine the various functions of the Council, to ask questions on how decisions have been made, to consider whether service improvements can be put in place and make recommendations to this effect. It also provides the opportunity for Members to champion issues of local concern to residents and to participate in the development of new policy.

Overview & Scrutiny Members decide the areas they wish to review/challenge. The Overview and Scrutiny Committees (and its Task Forces) meet in an informal atmosphere - they invite those who they believe can help with their investigations to give "evidence" and the public attending are welcomed to participate in asking questions of those making submissions.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committees have two main roles: to hold the Executive to account and to help develop new policies. They therefore monitor decisions taken by Executive Members and examine the provision of services supplied by Council departments, contractors and external agencies within the Central Bedfordshire area.
 
The Committees’ work falls into four broad areas:

Call-in: The Overview and Scrutiny Committees are charged with ensuring that the decisions taken by the Executive are appropriate and within the Council’s policy framework. If 2 members of the Committee (or 3 Members of the full Council) feel that the decision should be reviewed they can ‘call the decision in’ after it has been made to prevent the decision taking immediate effect. They can then interview the Executive Member or Council Officers and make recommendations to the decision-maker suggesting improvements to the decision.

Policy Reviews: The Overview and Scrutiny Committees carry out detailed, evidence-based assessments of Council services or issues, which affect the lives of local people. At the end of the inquiry the Committee produce reports making recommendations to the Executive and other partner agencies as to how things could be improved. During the course of reviews Members speak to the Executive, Council Officers and external witnesses to assist them in their information gathering.

One-Off Reviews: In addition to conducting in-depth policy reviews Committees often want to conduct a quick, one-off review of a topic. Typically a Committee will ask Executive Members, Council Officers or External Agencies to come and speak to them about a service or issue before making recommendations to the Executive.

Scrutiny of the Council’s Performance: Much of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees' work involves the detailed examination of key performance indicators and the action plans contained in Council policies to ensure the Council is meeting, or exceeding, its targets and objectives. The Committees also monitors the Council’s budgets on a regular basis to ensure sound financial management.

The Committees conduct their work at monthly Committee meetings or alternatively, they can appoint time-limited Task Forces (small, informal Member groups) to undertake work on their behalf. This usually happens when there is a need to review a topic in greater depth.

Why the Council is a strong supporter of the Overview & Scrutiny Process

Central Bedfordshire Council is not only committed to making best use of resources to meet local needs and priorities, but it's also committed to making sure the decisions made by the Council are the right decisions for Central Bedfordshire and that the process for doing this is seen as an open one.

The Council is also keen to provide the opportunity for local people to contribute and give views on service provision and policies and to be able to challenge decisions made by the Executive.

How it complements the Work of the Council

Whilst the Council's Overview and Scrutiny arrangements have been set up to provide an independent process for reviewing council decisions and policies, 'scrutiny' is not intended to be a confrontational or divisive process. It is not a process that questions every decision the Council makes for example. If it was, clearly this would be counter-productive to Council business and the subsequent delays would surely win no thanks from our community.

Instead, all those involved in Overview & Scrutiny are aware that the Council has set up its overview and scrutiny structure to complement and add value to the work of the Executive.

How it Brings Added Value

When working well, Overview & Scrutiny can add value to the work of the Council by playing an important role in:

  • Raising the quality of debate;
  • Improving decisions;
  • Teasing out complex issues;
  • Engaging the local community and key stakeholders;
  • Strengthening accountability;
  • Developing new ideas;
  • Supporting policy development; and
  • Monitoring and improving performance.

How it influences Council policy

Whilst scrutiny, in local government terms, is about reviewing decisions already made, the Council's Overview & Scrutiny function can also influence the development of new policies or review of old ones to help bring them up to date. The Council's Overview & Scrutiny function might carry out this policy development role at the invitation of the Executive, on its own volition or in response to public pressure (or perhaps also as a result of a call-in request).

Further Information

Please follow the link below for further information on Central Bedfordshire Overview and Scrutiny Committees: