The role of the Scrutiny
Committee is to review how the Council is delivering services and
working for the public. The committee also checks that Council
polices have been implemented effectively. The committee does
this by reviewing activities in the Council Plan and checking if
targets set for delivering services have been met.
The Scrutiny Committee
is also described as a “critical friend” to the
Cabinet. This means that it can review their decisions and make
recommendations. For example, what lessons can be learnt from how
an issue was handled in the past. It can also act as a
“critical friend” to other authorities and agencies,
making recommendations about issues outside of the Council’s
remit, such as to health providers or the police. This is why the
Scrutiny Committee regularly questions the Police and Crime
Commissioner and NHS bodies such as the New Devon Clinical
Commissioning Group.
The Scrutiny Committee
cannot make decisions on behalf of the Council, but does try to
influence the decision makers by investigating an issue, and making
recommendations based on the evidence it has found. You can
find out more about the role of the committee in the Council’s
constitution.
This committee is also
the council's statutory Crime and Disorder Committee for the
purpose of section 19 of the Police and Justice Act
2006.
How are topics brought
to the Committee for scrutiny?
Issues of concern can be
brought by Councillors and members of the public.
Topics are assessed, and if appropriate, they are added to the work
plan of the committee.
How can you get involved
with Scrutiny?
The Scrutiny Committee
meet in public about 10 times per year, and members of the public
are very welcome to attend. Public speaking
is permitted at the start of the meeting if it
relates to an item the Committee are discussing at that
meeting.
If you would like the
Scrutiny Committee to consider discussing an issue that is of
concern to you, you can contact your local Ward
Member or a member of the Scrutiny Committee
to talk through your options.