Posted on: Thursday 15 May 2025
Every year, the council’s overview and scrutiny committees examine a range of topics to ensure council decisions and actions are held to account.
Over the past year, the committees have looked at issues including what is being done to reduce homelessness in the borough, improve school attendance and the extent to which employability services are improving people’s skills.
The committees are now looking for subjects to scrutinise over the next year, and would like you to get involved.
You can submit an suggestion, comment on other people’s suggestions or ask a question about the scrutiny process, via the Get Involved Torfaen democracy hub.
Ideas must be submitted by Wednesday June 18, 2025, to be put forward for consideration, alongside those put forward by councillors or strategic directors and topics that are part of the council’s performance management processes.
Decisions about what items are selected are based on a number of considerations, including whether the issue has been scrutinised previously or whether scrutiny can make a positive difference.
The overview and scrutiny committees will then agree their work programme, which runs from September to May. A list of the items to be scrutinised will be published on the council’s website.
The five overview and scrutiny committees are: Economy and Environment; Education; Adults and Communities; Children and Families; Cross Cutting Resources and Business.
Cllr Rose Seabourne, Chair of the Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said: "I would encourage anyone interested in finding out more about the many ways that you can get involved in local democracy to visit the new democracy hub on Get Involved Torfaen. It's full of information about how to attend meetings, how to submit information, ask questions and more.
"The committees will welcome your suggestions on topics you think they should focus on. Please add your ideas no later than 18th June, 2025."