What is the purpose of Overview and Scrutiny?
As of May 2009, the Council revised its Overview and Scrutiny process following a Democratic Services Review. The Review has resulted in the establishment of an Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee along with four thematic Scrutiny Committees:-
- Adult Health and Wellbeing
- Building Stronger Communities
- Children, Young People and Families
- Economy, Environment, Culture and Housing
The Committees check what the Executive is doing and monitor the performance of the Council. It ensures that the Executive is sticking to the policy and budget decisions made by the Council.
Call in
Any Scrutiny Committee Member 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 appropriate Scrutiny Committee would then be called within fifteen days of the decision to call in. Should a call in cross more than one service area, the Co-ordinating Committee would consider the 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?
Scrutiny Committee membership is made up from Elected Members and church and parent governor representatives. Members of the Cabinet do not sit as members of the Committee's but can attend to answer questions that the Committee may raise.
How often does the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meet?
The Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee meets eight times during the Municiapl Year on a bi-monthly basis, however a further five dates are provisionally held in abeyance for the purpose of training or the need for a special meeting. The other four Scrutiny Committees meet six times per year, although other meetings may be called from time to time.
Why was the Committee established?
The Local Government Act 2000 required all Council's in England and Wales to introduce new political structures which provide a clear role for the Council, the Eecutive and non executive Councillors. One of the key roles introduced for non executive members is to carry out an overview and scrutiny role for the Council. In essence holding those who make decision to account.
Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report
The Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee is tasked with preparing a report each year setting out details of the work it has done along with the work of the other four Scrutiny Committees, and updating the outcomes of the various Select Committee reviews that have been undertaken in previous years.
Scrutiny Select Committees
Scrutiny Select Committees are allocated a project to them by the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee for investigation and reporting back. . Each review involves some form of consultation and takes the form of evidence gathering, scrutinising and preparation of a report. Reports will include 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 two areas –
Current Review Programmes
Select Committee 1: NEET - Not in Education, Employment or Training
Members: Cllr's P L Holland (Chair), S Dawber, B J Fagan, E Russon, W Rotherham, Mrs A Turnock, Mrs M J Whiteside and W WIlkes
Select Committee 2: Alcohol and Substance Misue and the effect on Youth Crime
Members: Cllr's Mrs J Prescott (Chair), Mrs B Bourne, N A Bradbury, R Brierley, R M Bleakley, J Eccles-Churton, Dr C M Cottam, E N Houlton and P A Tushingham
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 take place in the Town Hall in Wigan. View the Wigan Street Plan to find out where the Town Hall is located.
