Scrutiny Committees

We have seven Scrutiny Committees with three main functions:

• To review the work of the Council generally
• To review and scrutinise decisions made by the Executive
• To review issues of concern to the area

Scrutiny Committees can also act when councillors use the 'call-in' procedure.

The procedure allows any five members to 'call-in' a decision within five working days of it being taken by the Executive. They can request that the appropriate committee review the decision.

Implementation is then delayed for two weeks to allow the committee to meet and decide whether:

• not to pursue the call-in procedure
• to make recommendations to the Executive and ask the Executive to review its decision accordingly
• to refer the matter to Full Council - this would only apply to decisions which the Examination and Review Committee believe go against the Council's policy framework or the agreed budget

There are certain circumstances where the call-in procedure can be suspended. For example if:

• there is a report from an officer explaining why a decision must be urgently implemented
• two or more members of the relevant Scrutiny Committee agree the item is urgent
• the monitoring officer confirms the decision is within policy or budget.

If it is agreed the matter is urgent and call-in must be suspended, the reasons have to be explained to Council.

Overview & Scrutiny Annual Report

Each year, Scrutiny produces an Annual Report which provides a short summary of the achievements of Review during the last municipal year.

Scrutiny at Chester is carried out by the Examination & Review Committee and six other Committees. The Annual Report contains an introduction from the Chair of each Scrutiny Committee and provides a brief overview of the work of each Committee.

Annual Report for 2006/07 (1mb)

Annual Report for 2005/06 (1mb)