What is the purpose of the Committee?
The Committee checks what the Executive is doing and monitors the performance of the Council. It ensures that the Executive is sticking to the policy and budget decisions made by the Council. To do this it divides its work into three Select Committees to review policy issues in more detail. This scrutiny of policy helps to effect service level improvements. The Committee also has specific functions within policy development and review, and must submit an annual report to Council at the end of the municipal year detailing its activities.
The Committee may exercise the power to 'call in' for reconsideration decisions that have been made, but which have not been implemented, by the Cabinet or other decision-maker of the Council.
Call in
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee can ‘call in’ decisions made by the Executive if the decision has not already been implemented. This must be done within five working days of the decision being made. The ‘call in’ process involves a full discussion and consideration of the decision and decision makers may be required to attend to justify their decisions.
A meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would then be called within fifteen days of the decision to call in. Following the meeting, the decision could be referred to Council or back to the decision-maker for reconsideration.
All key decisions expressed in the Forward Plan are eligible for call in.
More information about the rules governing 'call in' can be found by opening the following document:
Who are the members on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee?
Members of the Council, church and parent governor representatives. Members of the Cabinet and those directly involved in the decision-making process may not sit on the Committee.
How often does the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meet?
At least nine times per year, although other meetings may be called from time to time.
Why was the Committee established?
The Council appointed the committee in response to the Local Government Act 2000 in order to introduce more democracy into the decision making process and to ensure that those who make decisions are held accountable.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee divides its work into four Select Committees, which review important policy issues in more detail and take evidence from a variety of sources, including witnesses. One Select Committee takes responsibility for scrutinising local health issues. More information on completed Select Committee reviews can be found by viewing the Select Committee Completed Reviews page.
Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report
The Committee prepares a report each year setting out details of the work it has done, and updating the outcomes of the various Select Committee reviews that have been undertaken in previous years.
The Four Select Committees
The four Select Committees are each allocated a project to them by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for investigation and reporting back. One of the Select Committees focuses exclusively on health scrutiny. Each review involves some form of consultation and takes the form of evidence gathering, scrutinising and preparation of a report. Reports include an action plan with a list of recommendations.
Reviews only address issues relevant to the wellbeing of the local community and must demonstrate that they will bring added value. Councillors also have the right to appear before Select Committees to give evidence or to express their views.
The Select Committees are currently investigating the following four areas –
Current Review Programmes
Select Committee 1: Townships - their role in improving customer focus and perception.
Members: Cllr's J S Birch (Chair) Mrs B Bourne, H L Cadman, M Klieve, P A Tushingham, and R T Splaine plus 1 vacancy
Select Committee 2: Reputation Management - how do we improve the way people view us.
Members: Cllr's Fred Walker (Chair), J Moodie, P Thompson, plus 4 vacancies
Select Committee 3: Transport issues - what elements should be incorporated in the Transport Investment Fund bid?
Members: Cllr's Myra Whiteside (Chair), M Aldred, M A Dewhurst, N R Whittingham, plus 3 vacancies
Select Committee 4 : Health Scrutiny - health inequalities - comparison with other regions.
Members: Cllr's G D Bretherton (Chair), R J Derricutt, G W Fairhurst, J Hurst, C Rigby and N R Whittingham plus 3 vacancies
A number of reviews have already been completed. View Select Committee Completed Reviews to find out more details about these.
Attending Meetings
You have the right to attend meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny and Select Committees. Meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee take place in the Town Hall in Wigan. View the Wigan Street Plan to find out where the Town Hall is located.
