Details the Membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2007/08, the Terms of Reference for the Committee and dates of Committee meeting during 2006/07.
2
Recommendations
2.1
To agree the Terms of Reference for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and
2.2
To note the Membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2007/08, and the dates of Committee meetings during the municipal year.
3
Report
3.1
The Membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2007/08 was ratified at the Annual Meeting of Council held on 17th May 2007.
Composition of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the forthcoming year will now be as follows:-
Councillor J Allen
Councillor D Beith
Councillor AB Douglas
Councillor BP Gibson
Councillor RE Hutchinson
Councillor JD Peggs
Councillor RT Pearson
Councillor FI Simpson
Councillor DS Stewart
Councillor TJ Tyler
Councillor PS Watts
3.2
Terms of Reference
The Council will have one Overview and Scrutiny Committee which will perform both overview and scrutiny functions on behalf of the Council.
The Committee will consist of 11 Members of the Council and its Terms of Reference are:-
• The performance of all overview and scrutiny functions on behalf of the Council
• The appointment of such Sub-Committees as it considers appropriate to fulfil those overview and scrutiny functions
• To receive reports from the Leader at its first meeting after the Annual Meeting of the Council on the ‘State of the Area’, the Leader’s priorities for the coming year and its performance in the previous year
• To approve an annual Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme - including the programme of any Sub-Committees it appoints so as to ensure that the Committees and Sub-Committees’ time is effectively and efficiently utilised
• Where matters fall within the remit of more than one Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to determine which of those Sub-Committees will assume responsibility for any particular issue
• To put in place a system to ensure that referrals from Overview and Scrutiny and Policy Committees either by way of report or for reconsideration are managed efficiently and do not exceed the limits set out in the Constitution
• In the event of reports to Policy Committees exceeding limits set out in the Constitution, or if the volume of such reports creates difficulty for the management of Policy Committee business or jeopardises the efficient running of Council business, at the request of the Policy Committee to make decisions about the priority of referrals made; and
• to be responsible for the conduct of all Best Value Reviews carried out by the Council.
3.3
General Role of Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Overview and Scrutiny Committee will:
• Review and/or scrutinise decisions made or actions taken, or to be taken, in connection with the discharge of any of the council’s functions
• Make reports and/or recommendations to the Council and/or any policy, joint or area Committee in connection with the discharge of any of the Council’s functions
• Make reports or recommendations to the Council or any joint committee on which the local authority is represented or any Sub-Committee of such a joint committee in respect of matters which affect the Council’s area or its inhabitants
• To exercise the right to call-in, for reconsideration, decisions made but not yet implemented by the policy or area Committees.
3.4
Specific Functions
(a) Policy Development and Review
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee may:-
• Assist the Council in the development of its budget and policy framework by in-depth analysis of policy issues
• Conduct research and undertake consultation in the analysis of policy issues and possible options
• Consider and implement mechanisms to encourage and enhance community participation in the development of policy options
• Question members of Committees and Chief Officers about their views on issues and proposals affecting the area; and
• Liaise with other external organisations operating in the area, whether national, regional or local to ensure that the interests of local people are enhanced by collaborative working
(b) Scrutiny
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee may:-
• Review and scrutinise the decisions made by and performance of the Committees and Council Officers both in relation to individual decisions and overtime
• Review and scrutinise the performance of the Council in relation to its policy objectives, performance targets and/or particular services
• Question members of the Committees and Chief Officers about their decisions and performance, whether generally in comparison with service plans and targets over a period of time, or in relation to particular decisions, initiatives or projects
• Make recommendations to the appropriate committee and/or Council arising from the outcome of the scrutiny process
• Review and scrutinise the performance of other public bodies in the area and invite reports from them by arranging for them to address the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and local people about their activities and performance; and
• Question and gather evidence from any person (with their consent)
(c) Finance
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee may:-
• Exercise overall responsibility for the finances made available to them
(d) Annual Report
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee may:
• Report annually to the Council on their workings
• Make recommendations for future work programmes; and
• Amend working methods if appropriate.
(e) Officers
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee may:
• Exercise joint overall responsibility with the Chief Executive for the Work Programme of the Officers employed to support their work
3.3
Meeting dates for 2007/08
Thursday, 12th July 2007
Thursday, 23rd August 2007
Thursday, 4th October 2007
Thursday, 15th November 2007
Thursday, 20th December 2007
Thursday 10th January 2008
Thursday, 14th February 2008
Thursday, 27th March 2008
Thursday, 8th May 2008
All meetings will begin at 6.00pm. All venues to be arranged.
4
Implications
4.1
Comments from the Council’s Section 151 Officer
No comments received.
4.2
Comments from the Council’s Monitoring Officer
No comments.
4.3
Comments from the Head of Paid Service
No comments.
4.4
Local Agenda 21
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is committed to ensuring that issues relating to the environment are given appropriate consideration in all its work.
4.5
Equality
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is committed to ensuring that issues relating to equality and diversity are given appropriate consideration in all its work.
4.6
Crime and Disorder
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is committed to ensuring that issues relating to crime and disorder are given appropriate consideration in all its work.
