The boards may require the attendance of senior councillors, council staff or NHS staff at their meetings and whilst they do not make decisions, they aim to influence those who do by making public recommendations based on the evidence they have gathered, about how services can be improved for local residents.
Annual and end of year summary reports
Each year we produce a short annual report for all the boards plus a summary for each board. The summary contains more detailed information, useful links and a statement from the Chair at the time, acknowledging key areas of work undertaken by the board. These can be accessed below:
2025-26 municipal year
- Adults, Health and Active Lifestyles Summary Report 2025-26 (PDF, 1.32MB)
- Children and Families Summary Report 2025-26 (PDF, 1.82MB)
- Environment, Housing and Communities Summary Report 2025-26 (PDF, 1.81MB)
- Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth Summary Report 2025-26 (PDF, 1.96MB)
- Strategy and Resources Summary Report 2025-26 (PDF, 1.37MB)
2024-25 municipal year
- Scrutiny annual report 2024-25 (PDF, 3.3MB)
- Adults, Health and Active Lifestyles Summary Report 2024-25 (PDF, 2.7MB)
- Children and Families Summary Report 2024-25 (PDF, 1.2MB)
- Environment, Housing and Communities Summary Report 2024-25 (PDF, 2.8MB)
- Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth Summary Report 2024-25 (PDF, 1.8MB)
- Strategy and Resources Summary Report 2024-25 (PDF, 1.2MB)
2023-24 municipal year
- Scrutiny annual report 2023-24 (PDF, 3.6MB)
- Adults, Health and Active Lifestyles Summary Report 2023-24 (PDF, 2.6MB)
- Children and Families Summary Report 2023-24 (PDF, 1.3MB)
- Environment, Housing and Communities Summary Report 2023-24 (PDF, 3MB)
- Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth Summary Report 2023-24 (PDF, 1.87MB)
- Strategy and Resources Summary Report 2023-24 (PDF, 1.18MB)
2022-23 municipal year
- Scrutiny annual report 2022-23 (PDF, 3.7MB)
- Adults, Health and Active Lifestyles Summary Report 2022-23 (PDF, 2.73MB)
- Children and Families Summary Report 2022-23 (PDF, 1.38MB)
- Environment, Housing and Communities Summary Report 2022-23 (PDF, 2.51MB)
- Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth Summary Report 2022-23 (PDF, 1.2MB)
- Strategy and Resources Summary Report 2022-23 (PDF, 1.36MB)
How they work
Scrutiny boards meet regularly during the year to discuss a range of issues relating to their specialised areas and public attendance is welcomed.
In advance of a formal meeting, the boards may gather information in other ways to ensure they are fully informed on an issue. For example, through working groups, one-to-one discussions, site visits, community meetings or questionnaires.
Following a formal inquiry, the boards will often produce a report or statement with recommendations for consideration by council decision makers or external partners.
The boards
There are 7 scrutiny boards, each specialising in different subjects. Each has a dedicated webpage providing further information on remit and membership, as well as access to meeting agendas and minutes. These can be accessed using the links below.
- Adults, Health and Active Lifestyles
- Children and Families
- Communities
- Economy and Inclusive Growth
- Environment and Housing
- Infrastructure and Investment
- Strategy and Resources
While most decisions are reviewed by just one board, occasionally they may come together to look at a decision or policy collectively.
Follow us on X @Scrutinyleeds for regular updates.
Call-in
Most of the time scrutiny boards examine existing policy decisions and how they are being implemented, however, occasionally non-executive councillors can also call-in an upcoming decision to scrutiny before it is implemented.
This temporarily suspends implementation of the decision for up to 7 working days whilst it is publicly reviewed in more detail.
A call-in request can be made by either:
- five non-executive councillors from a single political party
- two non-executive councillors from different political parties
Call-in only applies to decisions made within the council. Decisions made by external organisations are not subject to this.
Tenant scrutiny board
The tenant scrutiny board is supported separately by Housing Leeds. Further information on the role and membership of the tenant scrutiny board, along with meeting agendas, notes and reports, can be found on our tenant scrutiny board page.
