Scrutiny and the public
In addition to attending commission meetings as observers, there are various ways for local people to get involved with Overview and Scrutiny in the Harrogate District. Some are more 'formal' than others and have different amounts of time allocated to them at meetings.
Although such formality can seem daunting, don't let this put you off! The Scrutiny Officer and Policy Support Officer are available to give advice beforehand and the Chairs and members of the commissions will put you at ease at their meetings.
The various way to get involved are:
- co-option as a non-voting member
- being invited to attend a meeting
- speaking at meetings
- asking questions at meetings
-
submitting your own request for a review to be undertaken
Co-option as a non-voting member
Commissions are allowed to co-opt two people per year who have not been elected to the council. They are usually experts or spokespersons in a particular field and can be appointed for a whole council year or for the duration of a particular review. Co-opted members can participate fully in debates at meetings but cannot vote.
Invitation to attend a meeting
In the course of its investigations, the commission may want to consult local people.
People are often invited to address the commission on specific issues, discuss issues of local concern or to answer questions. This is normally because they are expert witnesses, local residents, stakeholders (interested parties) or members and officers in other parts of the public sector.
Each year we hold a workshop where we invite interested parties and members of the public to discuss the areas of concern they think the scrutiny panel should investigate. If you would like more information or to be invited to our next public workshop, please contact the
scrutiny officer.
Right to speak and ask questions at scrutiny Meetings
Speaking at the meetings:
As well as being able to attend commission meetings you are allowed to speak at meetings if you want to as long as it is about an item on the agenda. However it is advisable that you contact the
Scrutiny Officer
before hand to let him know.
Although there is some formality at the meetings the chair will greet you and make you feel welcome. There is also less formality for you, as a general observer, compared to someone who has been invited to speak at the meeting (see invitation to attend a meeting) .
Asking Questions at the meetings:
There is a standard item on the Overview and Scrutiny Commission agenda, which allows members of the public to ask questions. And we warmly welcome anyone who wishes to.
Shortly after the meeting has started, the chair will invite you to read out your question. Please note that the wording of the question must be sent to the
Head of Legal and Democratic Services
at least 2 days before the meeting.
Submit request for scrutiny Review
You can submit a request for a scrutiny review to be looked at by the overview and scrutiny commission. The issue you believe should be investigated must affect the residents of this district. However, as the commission is able to undertake external scrutiny reviews, the matter does not necessarily have to relate to this council's responsibilities and functions and can concern other local authorities, government departments or, in fact, any organisation.