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: