What is Overview and Scrutiny?
Overview and Scrutiny is a process that enables councillors who are not members of the council's decision-making cabinet to review and scrutinise matters affecting local people.
The role of elected members performing the Overview and Scrutiny function is to:
- Review and report on issues that affect the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of local people;
- Act as a check and balance to the council's decision makers, examining and reviewing decisions;
- Consider the work of public bodies operating outside the council but which affect local residents, for example, local health services;
- Contribute to the development of future policies and strategies that will help improve services for local people;
- Involve local people in council decision making.
Scrutiny is carried out using a number of methods but in all cases the process is non-political and members from all groups participate.
How is Overview and Scrutiny organised?
North East Lincolnshire Council has five scrutiny panels and an Overview and Scrutiny board. These panels cover the following areas:
- Safer and Stronger Communities
- Children and Young People
- Environment Culture and Tourism
- Healthier Communities and Older People
- Regeneration and Housing
Each of the above scrutiny panels is responsible for their respective area of interest, whilst the Overview and Scrutiny board co-ordinates the work of the panels.
The Overview and Scrutiny Board also considers issues affecting the council as a whole, such as matters relating to finance, corporate policy, corporate performance and diversity/equalities.
Who decides what issues should be scrutinised?
Each year the scrutiny panels agree a schedule of work for the year ahead, leaving enough flexibility to look at specific issues raised by councillors, the decisions of the cabinet and representations made by the public using the petition facility.
The scrutiny panels decide which areas to examine after giving consideration to:
- Corporate and directorate plans
- Issues raised by members of the public about a particular matter
- Issues identified by councillors themselves
- Reports and issues identified by officers
- Reviews of the council's activities by outside agencies, such as external auditors
- New or revised legislation
- Proposals made by the executive
To review the issues identified, smaller working groups are often set up to carry out more in-depth investigations and to make recommendations based on their findings.
Reviews that were carried out include the following:
How can I get involved?
As a member of the public, you are:
- Welcome to attend the scrutiny panel meetings to observe local scrutiny in action. For guidance on what to expect from public scrutiny meetings please contact the scrutiny team.
- Encouraged to make suggestions for future scrutiny reviews using the enquiry form attached or by contacting your councillor directly
- Able to submit petitions in line with the guidance outlined in the Guide to scrutiny for the public.
- Able to approach councillors with your views on specific issues so that these can be represented on the scrutiny panels.
Where can I find more information?
How scrutiny fits into the council's structure.
Guide to scrutiny for the public.
If you require further information, including details of forthcoming meetings, or would like to suggest an issue for Overview and Scrutiny to consider, please use the electronic feedback form. Alternatively use one of the contact methods below:
Scrutiny answer service: (01472) 326134
Scrutiny email: scrutiny@nelincs.gov.uk
You can also write using the council's business reply service, quoting the freepost information: 'Business Reply Licence Number RLZE-TTGE-SGRY' in the top left hand corner of the envelope. The address is:
North East Lincolnshire Council
Scrutiny officers
Policy, Performance & Development
Municipal Offices
Town Hall Square
Grimsby DN31 1HU.
The agendas for forthcoming scrutiny meetings can also be found by clicking on the attached link /council/committees/Committee.htm