About Overview and Scrutiny
Overview and Scrutiny was one of the functions brought in under the modernisation arrangements for local government decision-making. The Local Government Act 2000 required all councils in England and Wales to introduce new political arrangements. Harrogate Borough Council elected to implement the Leader/Cabinet model (the Executive).
Collectively, and individually, the seven cabinet members make executive decisions on behalf of the Council at cabinet and cabinet member meetings.
The purpose of the commission and these panels is to ensure that the services provided for the residents are right for those that need to use them.
What can Overview and Scrutiny do?
Overview and Scrutiny can:
- scrutinise and review the work and policies of the cabinet
- hold cabinet members and chief officers to account for their actions
- call-in cabinet key decisions before they are implemented
- initiate their own reviews of a Council service, function or policy
- be consulted by the cabinet or the Council on the development of draft policies, action plans and best value reviews
-
scrutinise partner and other prominent local
organisations
and encourage good performance and regularly report in public on how they meet the promises of the local people
- encourage openness and accountability about the way that decisions are made.
- involve local people
-
improve policies and services for the people of Harrogate
What can't Overview and Scrutiny do?
Overview and Scrutiny can't:
- Handle individual complaints
- Intervene in planning applications
-
Act as an appeals mechanism