SCRUTINY AND OVERVIEW
Background
The Scrutiny & Overview (S&O) Committee was introduced in Horsham District Council in 2001. There are currently four permanent Working Groups; Business Improvement, Budget Review, Performance Management and Social Inclusion. There are also Working Groups set up on a temporary basis looking at specific issues throughout the Council year. All Working Groups sit under the umbrella of the S&O Committee.
How does the Scrutiny & Overview Committee work?
The S&O process provides the Council with its own ‘watchdog’ or ‘critical friend’. S&O is a common sense approach to reviewing decisions and policies and considering whether they are right for the district. Therefore, its principal purpose is to improve decision-making. It does this by:
- Reviewing and developing policy recommendations for the Cabinet’s consideration.
- Providing a means to review the Council's own achievements against its planned targets.
- Setting out to influence Council/Cabinet decisions and policies.
- Playing a part in the community leadership role of the Council i.e. by reviewing services provided by other organisations on issues that affect the public and by calling individuals/organisations to account.
- Contributing to the democracy by stimulating public engagement.
If you need any help you can ring us on (01403) 215121 or email Scrutiny@horsham.gov.uk
A Guide to the Scrutiny & Overview process can be downloaded using the link at the bottom of this page, together with details of how to get involved.
Committee and Working Groups:
- Scrutiny & Overview Committee
- Budget Review Working Group
- Business Improvement Working Group
- Performance Management Working Group
- Social Inclusion Working Group
- Temporary Working Groups
External links:
The Centre for Public Scrutiny
Local Government Act 2000 (Overview and scrutiny committees)
Useful documents:
Work programme suggestion form
Work programme suggestion form (101kb)
This form can be used to make suggestions for the Scrutiny & Overview work programme. You will require Adobe Reader to open this file.
Guide to the Scrutiny and Overview process
Guide to the Scrutiny and Overview process (419kb)
This guide gives details of what the Scrutiny and Overview process is for and how it operates. The file also includes the Scrutiny & Overview Work Programme 2007-2009. You will require Adobe Reader to open this file.
Getting Involved in the Scrutiny and Overview process
Getting Involved in the Scrutiny and Overview process (366kb)
This guide gives details of how to get involved in the scrutiny process. You will require Adobe Reader to open this file.
Scrutiny & Overview Chairman Role Profile
Scrutiny & Overview Chairman Role Profile (48kb)
This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Scrutiny & Overview Committee Chairman. You will require Adobe Reader to open this file.
Scrutiny & Overview Working Group Chairman Role Profile
Scrutiny & Overview Working Group Chairman Role Profile (45kb)
This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Scrutiny & Overview Working Group Chairmen. You will require Adobe Reader to open this file.