Scrutiny boards provide challenge and support to decision makers. The boards are made up of elected councillors, and on some boards, co-optees.
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.
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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 five scrutiny boards, each specialising in different subjects. Each of their pages has more information including meetings, agendas and minutes. You can also view the annual report and a summary of board:
Adults, Health and Active Lifestyles
The Chair, Councillor Andrew Scopes, was appointed during the Council meeting held on Wednesday 24 May 2023.
Annual report and summaries
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.
2022-23
2021-22
Children and Families
The Chair, Councillor Dan Cohen, was appointed during the Council meeting held on Wednesday 24 May 2023.
Annual report and summaries
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.
2022-23
2021-22
Environment, Housing and Communities
The Chair, Councillor Stewart Golton, was appointed during the Council meeting held on Wednesday 24 May 2023.
Annual report and summaries
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.
2022-23
2021-22
Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth
The Chair, Councillor Abigail Marshall-Katung, was appointed during the Council meeting held on Wednesday 24 May 2023.
Annual report and summaries
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.
2022-23
2021-22
Strategy and Resources
The Chair, Councillor Asghar Khan, was appointed during the Council meeting held on Wednesday 24 May 2023.
Annual report and summaries
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 acknowledging key areas of work undertaken by the board.
2022-23
2021-22
While most decisions are reviewed by just one board, occasionally they may come together to look at a decision or policy collectively.
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 provides independent, customer focused scrutiny which challenges policy practice and performance to ensure that we provide a high quality housing service that retains tenants at the heart of the organisation.
Find more information including meeting dates and minutes on our Tenant Scrutiny Board page.
