Scrutiny members can use different methods to scrutinise a topic.
It depends on what is being scrutinised and the desired outcome.
Scrutiny Methods
Working groups or task and finish groups
Features of a working group or task and finish group:
- used to look at a specific issue in depth
- a small group of councillors meet an agreed number of times to conduct an issue-specific deep dive'.
- the meeting can take place in public or private, but a method of public engagement will be established according to the requirements of the group
- the group is focussed and time-limited
- membership of the group will be cross-party, nominated by and drawn from the Scrutiny Commission
- subsequent recommendations would be presented to a formal scrutiny commission meeting for agreement
Scrutiny Commission meeting
Features of a Scrutiny Commission meeting:
- formal public meetings that have an agenda, reports and minutes
- members of the public can attend to hear the debate, submit questions and read out public forum statements at the beginning of the meeting
- a report or presentation is produced and presented at the meeting by council officers from the relevant departments
Inquiry day
Features of an inquiry day:
- an inquiry day is a focussed, structured one-off event with presentations and group work
- people attending include councillors, community and partner representatives, other stakeholders and council officers to take an overview of a particular issue and provide a forum for questioning invited speakers and witnesses
- after the inquiry, recommendations are drafted for agreement by the scrutiny commission and sent to the relevant decision maker.
Workshop
This is an informal meeting of councillors which could be used for a variety of purposes such as to develop a collective view and decide a way forward, or to agree questions.
Scrutiny advisors
Scrutiny advisors:
- support the scrutiny function and the Chair and members of each Scrutiny Commission.
- carry out research, analysis and policy work
- facilitate delivery of scrutiny objectives in line with the agreed work programmes.
- build networks and effective working relationships with members, officers and other external stakeholders so that they can find out about and share relevant knowledge and information
Reviewing decisions
Decisions which have been made but haven't yet been implemented can be called-in by any two councillors.
Call-ins
When this happens the decision is reviewed by a call-in committee of councillors who may decide to:
- let the decision stand
- ask Cabinet to reconsider it
- refer it to Full Council for debate
The call-in committee can't overturn a decision made by Cabinet.
Major decisions taken by the Mayor or the cabinet don't normally come into effect until there's been a standard period of about a week for other councillors to consider whether to call it in' for detailed review.