Overview and scrutiny

What is overview and scrutiny and how does it work? The Local Government Act 2000 requires all councils in England and Wales to have scrutiny arrangements in place as part of their political management structure.

The council has three overview and scrutiny bodies, which hold the council’s ‘executive’ (primarily Cabinet and Township Committees) to account for the decisions they make and the policies they develop on behalf of the council.

Overview and scrutiny annual reports

The annual report highlights the main areas of scrutiny activity undertaken by our Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

View annual reports: 2007-08 overview and  scrutiny report, 2006-07 overview and scrutiny report. 

Overview and scrutiny work programmes

Non-executive members agree an annual work programme for the Policy Overview Committee which includes studies and service reviews.

View work programmes: 2008-09 work programme, 2007-08 work programme