Scrutiny at Staffordshire County Council: About Overview and Scrutiny
What is Overview and Scrutiny?
The Local Government Act 2000 modernised Local Authority decision making arrangements. The Act established a governance model for all Local Authorities which made the majority of functions that Council's carry out the responsibility of the 'Executive' or 'Cabinet'. In Staffordshire a Leader / Cabinet model of governance is in place. The Council Leader, who is appointed by a vote of all Councillors, has appointed six further Members to the Cabinet. Each Cabinet Member has an individual area of responsibility or 'portfolio'.
The role of the Cabinet is to:
- make decisions in accordance with the policy framework decided by the Council;
- oversee and determine how the budget is spent; and
- undertake performance management.
The Cabinet is a decision-making body.
Overview and Scrutiny in Staffordshire is carried out by six Scrutiny and Performance Committees/Panels. Broadly, their role is to hold the Cabinet to account and to contribute to the Authority's continuous improvement to ensure that good quality services are delivered to the communities and citizens of Staffordshire. Some of the key ways in which they do this are set out below.
Holding the Cabinet to account by monitoring decisions that they make, checking whether they are successfully implemented, and exercising the right to 'call in' a decision which they consider needs to be reviewed.
Supporting the Cabinet in policy and service development by: considering regional, national and local policies; participating in consultation exercises; and undertaking scrutiny reviews to make recommendations for improvement to the relevant body.
Undertaking performance management by monitoring the Council's achievement of its priorities as set out in the Local Area Agreement, Strategic Plan, and Thematic Improvement Plans.
External scrutiny, in particular of health services, is another key function. By reviewing health services, contributing to consultation exercises on key local, regional and national health policies and initiatives, and determining the impact of such policies and practices upon health services in Staffordshire Scrutiny works with partners to ensure that health services in Staffordshire are improving and health inequalities are reduced.
Community engagement is an essential part of all scrutiny work. Scrutiny has a responsibility to encourage Staffordshire residents, the County Council's partners and the local media, to participate in scrutiny. This helps to ensure that scrutiny work is focussed on matters that are important to the communities and citizens of Staffordshire.
Scrutiny and Performance Committees/Panels
Scrutiny and Performance Committees/Panels consist of Elected Members who undertake annual work programmes which focus on:
- the delivery of the County Council's and partners main aims, as set out in their business plans;
- areas where their involvement could help improve performance; and/or
- priorities and concerns raised by the public.
The six Scrutiny and Performance Committees/Panels that carry out this work for Staffordshire County Council are:
Children and Young People Scrutiny and Performance Panel
Corporate Policy Scrutiny and Performance Committee
Economic Prosperity and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny and Performance Panel
Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny and Performance Panel
Partnerships Scrutiny and Performance Panel
Staffordshire Health Scrutiny Committee
You can find out more about the work of these Committees/Panels by following the link.
Scrutiny and Performance Committees and Panels consist of Elected Members and Co-opted Members.
Useful Links
Staffordshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites linked from this page.
Contact Us
Contact details for the Scrutiny and Performance Team.
Last Modified:
28/11/2008 11:26:38
Back to top