Scrutiny is an independent councillor-led
function working with local people to improve services through
in-depth investigation of poor performance.
The Overview and
Scrutiny Committee has the following power and duties:
1.
To oversee an agreed
work programme that can help secure
service improvement through in-depth investigation of poor
performance and the development of an effective strategy/policy
framework for the council and partners;
2.
To have general
oversight of the council’s scrutiny function;
3.
To offer challenge and
critical support to the Executive’s policy development
function and the long-term strategic direction of the
borough;
4.
To anticipate policy
changes and determine their potential impact on residents and to
recommend changes where these are appropriate;
5.
To consider the
council and partners’ strategic approach to service delivery,
using, where necessary, the power of overview and scrutiny
committees to receive information from partner agencies and to
require partner authorities to respond to reports and
recommendations from the Committee, as set out under Part Five of
the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act
2007;
6.
To undertake detailed
investigation of service/financial performance in order to
recommend policy changes to the Executive and to commission
investigations by the Performance and Finance
Sub-Committee;
7.
To have regard, in
carrying out its functions, to the requirement to involve local
representatives, as set out in Part Seven of the Local Government
and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007;
8.
To report scrutiny
findings and recommendations to the Executive within 8 weeks of
being published or to its next meeting, whichever is the sooner, in
accordance with the council’s constitution
9.
To consider items
included in the Forward Plan;
10.
To consider
Councillor Call for Action in terms
of
a.
Local Government
Matters (Section 119, Local Government and Public Involvement in
Health Act 2007)
b.
Local Crime &
Disorder Matters (Section 19, Police & Justice Act
2006)
11.
To discharge the
functions conferred by Section 21(f) of the Local Government Act
2000 of reviewing and scrutinising, in
accordance with regulations under Section 7 of the Health and
Social Care Act 2001, matters relating to the planning, provision
and operation of health services in Harrow.
12.
To respond to
consultations from local health trusts, Department of Health and
any organisation which provides health
services outside the local authority’s area to inhabitants
within it.
13.
To review and make appropriate
recommendations on an annual basis for the arrangements for
processing applications for support from the voluntary sector,
including grants, concessionary lettings, use of the community
premises and other council premises, and discretionary rate
relief.
Information on how to
submit a petition,
deputation or public question is available on the council
website.