Scrutiny Committees

 

Scrutiny - what is it?

The Local Government Act 2000 required all local authorities to review existing / introduce revised decision–making arrangements. The purpose behind the legislation was to reform and modernise the way local authorities operate, streamline decision-making, ensure elected members are more visible and accountable and improve services.

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council adopted a Leader and Cabinet style system with Scrutiny Committees established to advise on policy formulation and hold the Executive ( Cabinet ) to account.

 

Where does Overview and Scrutiny fit in?

There are four elements to the governance and management of the Vale of Glamorgan Council:

 

1. The Executive which is made up of the Leader and nine other executive portfolio holder members who have collective responsibility for the executive decisions of the Council and who together form the Council's Cabinet

 

2. Overview and Scrutiny which is undertaken by non-executive Members of the Council and is managed through Scrutiny Committees.

 

3. Regulatory Committees which include Planning, Licensing, Appeals and Appointment Committees

 

4. The day-to-day management of the Council, which is the responsibility of the Chief Executive and Corporate Directors who collectively form the Council's Corporate Management Team.

 

Members who are not in the Executive are charged with keeping an overview of Council business and scrutinising areas of particular interest or concern. Their role includes holding the Executive to account and assisting in the development and review of Council policy. The latter task involves looking in detail at areas of service delivery or issues of general concern and making recommendations to the Executive or to the whole Council - this could include suggestions for improvements or different ways of doing things.

 

The Scrutiny process provides opportunities for Members of the Council to examine the services provided, and to ask questions on how decisions have been made, to consider whether service improvements can be put in place and to make recommendations accordingly.

 

The Council has produced a Scrutiny Handbook to assist members, officers and all other interested parties.

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