Terms of
Reference
Functions:
Overview and Scrutiny look at the quality of
council services, and other issues that affect the lives of people
in Allerdale. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee will listen to
the concerns of local people to investigate how the council and
other organisations are performing, and where necessary seek
improvement.
Overview and Scrutiny will:
·
review any actions taken in connection with the discharge of any of
the council’s functions both in relation to individual
decisions and performance over time;
·
exercise the right of call in of any decision taken by the
Executive, or by officers under the executive arrangements, which
has not yet been implemented;
·
consider any Councillor Call for Action requests, and take any
follow up action as required;
·
submit reports and/or make recommendations to the Executive, to
Council or to any appropriate partnership or external agency on the
delivery of public services;
·
respond to consultation by the Executive;
·
provide assistance with policy
development and review, taking an early view on policy issues and
providing evidence based recommendations.
Specific duties:
1. Overview and Scrutiny will review policies
and contribute to policy development to assist Council and the
Executive in the development of its budget and policy framework by
in-depth analysis of policy issues.
2. In carrying out its work, Overview and
Scrutiny will:
·
carry out research and consultation with the community, local
businesses and other appropriate interest groups in considering
different policy options;
·
question members of the Executive, other committee members,
officers and other appropriate people to canvass opinion and gather
evidence to assist in developing their conclusions, and liaise with
external organisations to gather evidence based on wide-ranging
views;
·
make recommendations to the Executive,
to an appropriate committee or to Council arising from the outcome
of the scrutiny process. They may also make recommendations to
partner and external organisations as appropriate;
·
invite individual witnesses, other
public bodies or partnerships in the Borough to participate in the
scrutiny process and question any person (with their consent).
3. Overview and Scrutiny will report at least
annually to Council and the chairs will jointly keep scrutiny
practices, procedures and work programmes under periodic
review.