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Decision
making (Cabinet and Committee information)
What is Scrutiny?
The current political management arrangements for Adur District Council were introduced in May 2008. The council runs under the provisions of the Local Government and Involvement in Public Health Act 2007.
Scrutiny is the mechanism by which public accountability is exercised, they do not make decisions, only recommendations.
Scrutiny at Adur District Council
The Council has one Overview and Scrutiny Committee made up of eight members and is politically balanced.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s functions is to review/scrutinise decisions made, consider the decisions within the Forward Plan, conduct reviews of services, monitor the council’s performance and carry out policy development functions.
- Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
- Overview and Scrutiny Committee agendas, reports and minutes
Work Programme
At Annual Council each year a work programme for the committee is agreed. The current programme runs from May 2008 to April 2009.
- Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme 2008-2009 (.PDF 13kb)
Monitor the Council’s Performance
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee monitors the council’s performance against National Performance Indicators, locally determined performance indicators and targets identified through reviews. The committee receives quarterly monitoring reports.
Policy Development
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee can review and advise on all existing policies of the council, including making recommendations for future options to the Cabinet.
Service Reviews
The committee can review arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which the council’s functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
Working Groups
Working Groups are established to conduct work on behalf of the Committee. They are made up of three or four of members of the committee. A scoping report is received by the committee who determine the Working Groups membership, who to consult with and the timescale of the review.
The following working groups are active, please click on the link for further details :
Hearings
When undertaking investigations a working group or the full Overview and Scrutiny Committee might determine to interview witnesses as part of a public hearing. The committee will invite key witnesses to appear before them to give evidence and answer questions. Written submissions are usually made by the witnesses and these are made available within the agenda. Written submissions are welcomed from other interested parties.
- Making the most of Scrutiny Hearings leaflet (.PDF 57kb)
Annual Reports
At the end of each municipal year the committee produces an Annual Report. These can be viewed by clicking the link below:
Scrutiny May 2000 - May 2008
For details of the previous Scrutiny system and reviews carried out under it please see Scrutiny May 2000 - May 2008.
