Welcome to the
Vale of Glamorgan Council

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.

 

How can I become involved in Scrutiny?

Scrutiny provides the opportunity for the public to become involved in the Council's activities.  You can request a service area or matter to be considered by Scrutiny Committee, this could be an issue where there is likely to be an improvement for local people.  If you wish to submit a request, please complete the Consideration for Review form or contact the Scrutiny and Committee Services Section.

 

The Scrutiny Committees will be unable to consider any issue that is already subject to internal review/consideration by the Council or external review by an external body.

 

It is also important that you are aware that matters relating to specific cases falling within the Council's Complaints Procedure and individual disciplinary/grievance matters are also outside the remit of the Scrutiny Committees.

 

Should the Committee agree to consider the matter you will be advised of the process that will be undertaken and the date of the meeting.

 

Whenever possible, a member of the public wishing to make a representation or speak at any time to a Scrutiny Committee is requested to contact the Scrutiny and Committee Services Section or the relevant Chiarman prior to the meeting to discuss the matter.

 

Can I attend a Scrutiny meeting and where are they held?

All meetings are open to the public unless confidential matters are being discussed.

 

Meetings are held at the Civic Offices, but meetings are also held in venues such as schools, libraries and community centres to help engage service users and members of the public.

 

Dates and Times of Meetings

Meetings are normally held every four weeks and generally start at 6.00 p.m.  Dates, venues and times of meetings are available on the Council's website.

 

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

 

Contact:

Vale of Glamorgan Council, Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry CF63 4RU, Tel: (01446) 700111