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.
Contact: