Role of Scrutiny
The three Scrutiny Committees support the work of the Cabinet and the Council as a whole. They allow the public to have a greater say in Council matters by holding inquiries into matters of local concern. These lead to report and recommendations to advise Cabinet and the Council as a whole on its policies, budget and service delivery. Scrutiny Committees also review and monitor the decisions of the Cabinet. This enables them to consider whether the decision is appropriate. They may recommend that the Cabinet reconsiders the decision. Scrutiny Committees may also be consulted by Cabinet or Council on forthcoming decisions, and will be consulted on the development of policy.
Whilst the primary role of Scrutiny Committees is to scrutinise and oversee the work of the Cabinet and Council policies and services as a whole, they may also have a role in scrutinising other public bodies. It is expected that this latter role will become a statutory duty during the summer of 2012.
Under the terms of the Council’s Constitution, there are three scrutiny committees, and their areas of responsibilities are outlined below:
| Scrutiny Committees | Matters to be considered by the Committee ________________________________ |
| Communities: | scrutinising area focussed service delivery and developments, including:
________________________________ |
| Partnerships: | ensuring that the Council’s interests, resources and priorities are reflected in the work of partnerships involving the Council, including:
________________________________ |
| Performance: | scrutinising the performance of the Council and the achievement of its objectives, including:
________________________________ |
Each Scrutiny Committee is made up of eleven non-Executive Councillors appointed to reflect the overall political makeup of the Council. All Scrutiny Committees may co-opt such persons as shall be decided by the Scrutiny Committee in question but, with the exception of the statutory education co-opted members (who have the right to serve on each of the above committees as and when education matters are discussed) co-optees will not be able to vote.
Support for Scrutiny: the work of the Council’s Scrutiny function is primarily supported by the work of the Council’s Scrutiny Coordinator and the Democratic Services Manager. For further information contact the Democratic Services Unit on 01824 712554/712589 or by e-mail at: dcc_admin@denbighshire.gov.uk
(pdf, 291.18 KB) The Council's Scrutiny Committees have published an information leaflet outlining the work of the scrutiny function and how it contributes towards the work and the decisions of the Council. The objective of the document is to raise awareness of what the scrutiny function does, and can do, with a view to improving services for the residents of the County.
