Posted on: Tuesday 16 September 2025
The number of opportunities for people to get involved in the council's overview and scrutiny process have increased over the past year.
According to the Annual Scrutiny Report, there has been a focus on increasing public engagement including the introduction of a Public Speaking Protocol, to enable residents to ask questions and give evidence at scrutiny meetings, and a new online democracy hub to make it easier for residents to suggest issues and follow progress.
The report, which was presented at Full Council today, also highlighted the number of issues examined by the five committees over the past year, including four suggested by members of the public: anti-social behaviour, homelessness prevention, climate change and nature emergency, and school attendance and exclusion with a focus on mental health and well-being.
Cllr Rose Seabourne, Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee chair, said: "Over the past year, our committee has scrutinised a wide range of important areas.
"We've also undertaken school visits which have given us valuable insight into the experiences of learners, staff and governors.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank staff, parents, governors and members of the public who have contributed their views and expertise. Their input has been essential in helping us shape recommendations that strengthen education across Torfaen."
Over the past year, the scrutiny team has also met with members of the Get Involved Torfaen People's Panel and Torfaen Youth Forum.
In December, two youth forum representatives attended a Cross Cutting Resources and Business Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting to give feedback on the council's Children and Young People's Participation Strategy.
The five overview and scrutiny committees are aligned to the council’s service areas: Adults & Communities, Education, Children & Families, Economy & Environment and Cross Cutting Resources & Business.
The committees sit between September and May.
They decide on their work programme each summer, during a period known as visioning.
Items are chosen based on suggestions put forward by councillors, members of the public and strategic directors, and the council’s executive forward plan and annual delivery plan.
Find out what issues are being examined this year: https://getinvolved.torfaen.gov.uk/hub-page/democracy-in-torfaen