Scrutiny Committees
What is Overview and Scrutiny?
Overview and Scrutiny (commonly referred to as just “Scrutiny”)
is in place for the benefit of the community at large. It is
designed to support and enhance the decision-making process.
Scrutiny involves non-executive elected members reviewing and
scrutinising the whole range of the council’s functions and
responsibilities including those delivered in partnership with
other agencies and organisations. Scrutiny makes a positive
impact on economic, social and environmental wellbeing of those who
live, work and visit the borough of Knowsley by supporting the
development of policy, monitoring performance and making important
recommendations to support improvement.
How is Scrutiny structured in Knowsley?
Scrutiny in Knowsley consists of one
Overview and Scrutiny Board and a Scrutiny Member Panel. The
board is responsible for leading the scrutiny function effectively,
co-ordinating its activity and making sure it meets its
obligations. The board comprises 10 elected Members including
its chair, three Lead Scrutiny and three Deputy Lead Scrutiny
Members plus co-opted Members. The Scrutiny Member Panel
consists of a number of non-executive Members who are able to
participate in working groups and undertake scrutiny reviews on
behalf of the board.
How does Scrutiny work?
Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Board and the Scrutiny
Members Panel get together in June to decide their annual Scrutiny
workplan. This consists of a list of important local issues
to examine in detail over the coming 12 months. This includes up to
nine in-depth scrutiny reviews and six in-meeting scrutiny
reviews.
What is an in-depth Scrutiny review?
Where in-depth reviews are identified, working groups are formed
to concentrate efforts and focus thinking. The working groups meet
on a regular basis to tackle issues head on and collate their
findings and recommendations into a formal report.
After they are finalised, formal reports are then taken to Cabinet
for endorsement of their recommendations and approval of how they
will be progressed. Working groups are led by the relevant
thematic Lead Scrutiny and Deputy Lead Scrutiny Members.
What are ‘in-meeting reviews’?
In-meeting reviews are carried out by the Overview and Scrutiny
Board as part of their standard business meetings. They provide an
opportunity for members of the board to contribute to consultations
and influence decisions prior to their consideration by the
cabinet/ council. In-meeting reviews are divided by theme in
line with the remit of the board.
How can I get involved?
If you are interested and would like to get more involved or
make suggestions for future issues to be considered by Scrutiny,
please write to us at the address on the right of this page.