Welcome to Overview and Scrutiny
These pages provide provide a
variety of information about Overview and Scrutiny at South
Lakeland District Council, ranging from the work of individual
committees to details of how to suggest a review.
Background
To help
councils provide better public services and improve the
economic, social and environmental well-being of local communities,
the Local Government Act 2000 requires councils to introduce new
political structures which provide clear and separate roles for
Council, the Cabinet (the executive) and non-executive or frontline
Councillors.
The role of scrutiny is to act as a
critical friend and examine the council's policies, key decisions
and service provision to make sure that decision making
is efficient, transparent, accountable and in the best interests of
the residents of the district.
The style of working is quite different from other
committees with Members deciding which council policies
or services they would like to review or challenge based on
feedback from the community.
Overview and Scrutiny Committee
investigations are evidence based and often include consultation
with the community and expert witnesses, as well as actually going
out on site to look at issues first hand. Scrutiny
Committees also meet in a more informal atmosphere to
encourage wider participation.
Overview and Scrutiny
Committees
There are two Overview and
Scrutiny Committees at SLDC, an 'inward' facing
Resources and Partnerships Committee and an
'outward' facing
Communities
Committee.
In addition to these
two committees there is an Overview and Scrutiny
Co-ordination Board comprising of the chair,
vice-chair and one additional Member from each
Committee.
You can find the Communities and the Resources and
Partnerships O&S Committee Work Programmes for 2011/12
below:
Getting involved and suggesting topics for review
The committees are now looking for
suggestions for items to include in their 2010/11 work programmes
and would like to hear from anybody who has an issue or topic that
they feel the committees should review.
If you have any suggestions for
topics you think that overview and scrutiny should be looking at
over the new council year please contact the Scrutiny Department
with your ideas. Information on how you can get involved can be
found by checking out our
How can I get
involved with Scrutiny? page.
Useful documents, information and contact detais