OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY

1. OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY HANDBOOK GUIDE FOR MEMBERS

2. What is Overview and Scrutiny? • The County Council structure is based on a Leader and Cabinet model • The Council has a scrutiny process which involves committees made up of non-executive members(those not in the Cabinet) • These committees have no decision-making powers. They act as a check and balance on the powers exercised and decisions taken by the Cabinet and also assist the Cabinet in its decision making. It does this by:- Assisting the Cabinet in the development of policy- Monitoring performance of the Council and its partners- Examining the impact and implementation of Cabinet decisions and policies- Holding the Leader, the Cabinet and Senior Officers to account- Scrutinising external organisations who provide services to our residents • Overview and Scrutiny Committees can also review matters of wider local concern by scrutinising other public service bodies that provide services to Leicestershire people – for example: health and economic development bodies.

3. Overview and Scrutiny Committee Structure in Leicestershire

4. Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings Overview and Scrutiny Committees are formal meetings and open to the public. They function best when they are constructive and act as a “critical friend” with a focus on driving improvements in public services. See below for a guide to how to be most effective in Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings.

5. Scrutiny Reviews • Some topics need more depth which cannot be achieved at full Committee meetings and are better dealt with through Reviews • When identifying areas for Review, use the flow chart to the right

6. Types of Review: Scrutiny Review Panels • Small panel of members (usually five) meet in public several times to look in-depth at a particular issue • Dedicated support from officers throughout the process • Meetings with witnesses and experts • Drafting of Final Report by Scrutiny Officers • A through and rigorous process but a resource intensive one!

7. Types of Review: “Light Touch” Scrutiny Reviews • Focused around a single or narrow issue • Led solely by one or two members • Informal meetings held with officers to understand an issue in more detail • Members draft a final report – with guidance available from Scrutiny Officers • Final Report made public

8. Types of Review: “One Day” Scrutiny Reviews • Open “workshop” setting • Brings together all stakeholders at one meeting (usually in public) • An opportunity for officers and members to share intelligence and ideas • An opportunity to sort out any problems between partners at there and then – less bureaucratic • Final Report made to a public Overview and Scrutiny Committee

9. Follow: @LeicsDemocracy on Twitter How can the public contribute? Submit a Petition View Webcasts Raise an Issue with a Local Member Submit a Question Check out: www.leics.gov.uk/overviewandscrutiny Attend Meetings

10. For further information see our full Overview and Scrutiny Guide and Web Pages www.leics.gov.uk/overviewandscrutinyguide www.leics.gov.uk/overviewandscrutiny

11. For Advice and Support on Overview and Scrutiny… SCRUTINY COMMISSION Sam Weston Tel: 0116 305 6226 sam.weston@leics.gov.uk ADULTS AND COMMUNITIES Stuart Marra Tel: 0116 305 3407 stuart.marra@leics.gov.uk CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Joanne Twomey Tel: 0116 305 6462 jo.twomey@leics.gov.uk ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT Stuart Marra Tel: 0116 305 3407 stuart.marra@leics.gov.uk HEALTH Rosemary Palmer Tel: 0116 305 6098 rosemary.palmer@leics.gov.uk