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Under the terms of the Council Constitution, there are four Scrutiny committees, and their areas of responsibilities are outlined below:-

Scrutiny Committees         Matters to be considered by the Committee

Environment -

Development Services; Environmental Services; Finance and Performance; Planning and Public Protection; Transport and Infrastructure; Corporate Policies (Crime and Disorder, Emergency Planning and Sustainable Development including Agenda 21)

Social Services and Housing -

Social Services; Housing; Community Development; Health; Corporate Policies (Children and Young People's Framework, Community Legal Partnerships, Health and Well-being / Health Promotion, Social Inclusion, Strategic Grants Policy)

Lifelong Learning -

Education and Lifelong Learning; Culture and Leisure; Corporate Policies (Children and Young People's Framework, Equalities, Press and PR, Complaints and Communication Strategy and Welsh Language Policy)

Resources -

Finance; Personnel; Information and Communications Technology; Internal Audit; Strategic Policy Unit; County Clerk's Department; Corporate Policies (Cabinet Support, Community Strategy, Modernising Agenda, Performance and Business Management, Town and Community Council Liaison)

Each Scrutiny Committee is made up of seven 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 Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committees, co-optees will not be able to vote.

Role of Scrutiny

The four 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 reports and recommendations, to advise the 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 the Cabinet or the 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.

Support for Scrutiny

The work of the Council's Scrutiny function is primarily supported by the work of the Scrutiny Support Officers each of whom assumes principal responsibility for two of the committees.

For further information contact the Scrutiny Support Unit on 01824 712554/712589 or e-mail.