Scrutiny

The role of our Scrutiny Committee is to look at the services and issues that affect the lives of people in the Vale of Glamorgan.

It's all about listening to local people, challenging and influencing decision-making and, where necessary, seeking improvement for the benefit of the public.

Scrutiny is a key part of the Council's political structure and plays an important role in ensuring that the Council's services are delivered effectively, efficiently and in the interests of residents and those who work or visit the Vale of Glamorgan.

Scrutiny Committees are made up from Councillors who are not on the Cabinet. These Committees are able to influence decisions that are taken by the Cabinet and to ensure that the views and needs of the community are taken into account.

• What is scrutiny?
  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 six 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 Managing Director and 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. [Call-in Proforma] [Request for Consideration of Matter Proforma]

   

  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. There is provision for public speaking and to provide written representations at a Scrutiny Committee meeting. Further information is included in the Council's Guide on Public Participation.

   

  If you wish to speak at a Scrutiny Committee you are required to register in advance of the meeting.  Please use the links below for the relevant online form:

   

  Public speaking - Corporate Performance and Resources

  Public speaking - Environment and Regeneration

  Public speaking - Healthy Living and Social Care

  Public speaking - Homes and Safe Communities

  Public speaking - Learning and Culture

   

  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 Scrutiny Review Topic Suggestion form or contact the Democratic and Scrutiny 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 Democratic and Scrutiny Services Section or the relevant Chairman prior to the meeting to discuss the matter.

   

  To improve the way Scrutiny engages with the public and stakeholders, the Council has adopted Participation Cymru's      10 Principles for Public Engagement.

• 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.

Getting involved in Scrutiny Meetings

Scrutiny provides the opportunity for the public to become involved in the Council’s activities. 

 

There is provision for public speaking at a Scrutiny Committee meeting.  A Guide on Public Participation explains the process and how to register to speak.

• Public Participation Guide

 

To register to speak at a scrutiny committee please complete the relevant form:

• Corporate Performance and Resources
• Environment and Regeneration
• Home and Safe Communities

• Learning and Culture
• Healthy Living and Social Care

• democratic@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk