Scrutiny
Summary
Scrutiny is part of the checks
and balances of the Council's political management structure.
Downloads
Further information
What is Scrutiny?
Scrutiny is part of the checks and balances of the Council's political management structure. A Scrutiny Commission has been established which has the role of:
- monitoring the work of the Cabinet Executive
- advising on plans, policies and service delivery
- exercising the right to call-in decisions made but not yet implemented by the Cabinet Executive
- considering any matter affecting the district
The Scrutiny process also aims to encourage public involvement allowing the community to have a greater say in council matters and issues of local concern.
A short guide giving an overview of the scrutiny process is available above.
What is the Scrutiny Commission?
The Scrutiny Commission has overarching responsibility for the scrutiny function and is made up of 18 Members none of whom are on the Cabinet Executive; the Chairman of the Commission must be a member of an opposition party. The current Chairman is Councillor Geoff Welsh of the Liberal Democrat Group.
Guiding the work of the Scrutiny Commission are three Scrutiny Commissioners - one from each political group represented on the Council.
- Councillor Geoff Welsh (Liberal Democrat)
- Councillor Phil Fox (Labour)
- Councillor David Jennings (Conservative)
Scrutiny Working Groups
The 2010/11 Scrutiny work programme has been developed to provide structured focus to support the Council’s drive for improvement, with most work channelled through three themed groups; Finance, Performance, and Partnerships. Other separate working groups will be established to look at one off pieces of work.
The Commission is committed to improving the way its works to ensure better outcomes for our community and over the past two years we have made clear illustration of the step change in our performance is the public recognition of our work. This year, we were one of only three public bodies short listed for the Centre for Public Scrutiny’s Good Scrutiny Awards under the category of 2010 Scrutiny Team of the Year. Blaby District's Scrutiny team came second, with our work being Highly Commended.
Themed working groups for the 2010/11 municipal year:
- Finance working group - the group's remit is to provide timely and constructive challenge on key aspect of the Council's prorities for finance.
- Partnership working group - the group’s remit is to ensure the community benefits fully from the Council’s partnership activities through Blaby Together
- Performance working group – the group’s remit is to assist the Council to meet its objective of a significant improvement in performance
For more details of these groups please see the related page Scrutiny - working groups below.
Other issues we will take forward will include exploring ways to increase levels of coordinated and joint scrutiny with local partners on issues of local interest, and encouraging external challenge (partners and stakeholders) and public involvement in scrutiny.
The working groups do not have to be politically proportionate and they work on a task and finish basis. Any non-executive Member can be on a working group, not only members of the Scrutiny Commission.
What is Call-in?
Scrutiny Members can 'call-in' Cabinet Executive decisions which have been made but not yet implemented. They can ask for further information about a decision that has been made and recommend that Cabinet reconsiders its decision. The Scrutiny Annual Report gives details of decisions that have been 'called-in'.
Related pages on this website
- Scrutiny - annual report
- Scrutiny - we welcome your involvement
- Scrutiny - working groups
- Scrutiny Commission
Contact us
| Officer / Team | Scrutiny |
|---|---|
| Postal address | Blaby District Council Council Offices Desford Road Narborough Leicester LE19 2EP |
| E-mail address | scrutiny@blaby.gov.uk |
| Telephone | 0116 272 7708 |
If you need this information in other languages or formats (large print, Braille or audio), please let us know when you contact us.
This page was last updated on 6th August 2010
How do you rate this information / service?