Overview and Scrutiny: Background

What is Overview & Scrutiny?

  • The Local Government Act (2000) introduced Overview & Scrutiny
  • It enables Councillors who are not on the Cabinet (decision makers), can influence and shape policies and future decisions that impact the lives of local people
  • It Keps an eye on what the decision makers are doing ensuring that an open and transparent process has taken place
  • It Looks at services delivered by the Council as well as by many external bodies

What Powers Do Scrutiny Members Have?

  • Make recommendations for change by influencing and shaping decisions & policies
  • Rquest Council Officers and Councillors to provide information and attend meetings
  • Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 will soon place a duty on a wide range of partners to co-operate in the scrutiny process

How Do We Decide What to Scrutinise?

  • Anyone can suggest an issue to be scrutinised by the O&S Councillors
  • A ‘Prioritisation Framework’ is used to decide and rank in order the issues that are considered to be most in need of scrutiny
  • The issues are put together in form of a work programme that is shared with Oldham Partnership (The Local Strategic Partnership)