What is Scrutiny?

Scrutiny has two main functions:-

  • To act as a check and balance on the Cabinet, holding them to account for the decisions taken.
  • To review and help to develop Council policies to ensure that they have a positive impact on the people of Waltham Forest.

Scrutiny:

  • is undertaken by elected members of the Council (councillors) who are supported by an independent Overview and Scrutiny Unit which reports directly to Waltham Forest's Chief Executive
  • is one of the most important ways in which non-executive councillors can influence Council policy and champion his or her constituents
  • is not limited to monitoring the Council
  • can be applied to any agency whose activities affects local people, including the police, parts of the NHS or the fire authority.

How does Scrutiny work?

Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

There are 11 Councillors on the Management Committee.

  • The Management Committee is responsible for:
  • Establishing time limited panels to look at particular topics.
  • Calling in Executive decisions made but not yet implemented to see if they are appropriate.
  • Examining performance management information to check areas of concern.
  • Initiating new policies and suggest improvements to current policies.
  • Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees

There are 6 Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees. Four of the Committees are on-going from the last municipal year and two have been established this year.

Overview and Scrutiny Panels

Panels examine issues and problems in detail. Panel meetings are less formal than traditional council committee meetings. Panels:

  • Gather evidence from a wide range of sources including Council Officers, other local authorities, national agencies, service users, expert witnesses and their own research
  • Consider the evidence presented to them and report back to the Management Committee or the appropriate Scrutiny Sub-Committee complete with recommendations
  • Publish their findings and refer their recommendations to the Executive or other agencies, which are affected by them, for consideration and implementation
  • Include co-opted members and meetings are sometimes held outside the Town Hall, in venues such as schools and community centres
  • Vary in duration according to the level of complexity and detail required. However the maximum time expected is six months

Contact us

Contact us:
Paul Rogers
Interim Head of Scrutiny
Tel 020 8496 8093
Fax 020 8496 4579
Email paul.rogers@walthamforest.gov.uk