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What is Overview & Scrutiny?

Overview and Scrutiny is an integral part of modern Government and was introduced by the Local Government Act 2000.

 

Most decisions that are taken by Torfaen County Borough Council are now taken by the Cabinet which comprises of the Executive of the Council. The Cabinet comprises of the Leader of the Council, Deputy Leader, Leader of the Opposition and the 7 Executive Members, who hold responsibility for particular service areas.

 

It is important that the executive and scrutiny have a strong working relationship. These two functions have different but complementary roles to perform. To be successful, they must be distinct yet allow for effective joint working.

 

Overview and Scrutiny in Torfaen is about making a difference to improve the services and performance of the Council. It acts as a critical friend to the Executive, standing back from day to day decision-making to look at outcomes for the people of Torfaen and contributing to improved performance. It has a positive and constructive ethos, which aims to improve services to the public by scrutinising the policies of the Council and questioning how those policies are put into place.

 

It is one of the most significant ways in which a non-executive councillor can contribute to the direction of the Council and act as a community leader for Torfaen’s citizens.

 

Torfaen County Borough Council has 8 Council Overview and Scrutiny Committees:-

1. A Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee;
2. 7 "working committees" which echo the portfolios of the Executive Members.

Members of the Cabinet cannot be members of any of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees. The Committees comprise of non-executive councillors, some co-opted members and people who have experience or knowledge of the subject.

 

There is no single definition of Overview and Scrutiny. However, the main functions of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees are to:

• Review and develop Council policies
• Hold the Executive to account
• Revenue Budget and Capital Programme Consultation
• Monitor the service delivery of the Council’s Departments
• Advise and make recommendations to the Executive; and
• Scrutiny of outside agencies

Further information on the main functions of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees| is available here.