The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board was
responsible for keeping an overview of Council business including
scrutinising areas of particular interest or concern, holding the
Executive to account for the decisions that are made, and assisting
in the development and review of Council policy. This role was
undertaken by Scrutiny Commissions that meet on a regular basis
throughout the year. Scrutiny was also carried out through more
informal mechanisms as well, and which include “task and
finish” select committees and scrutiny inquiry
days.
The Scrutiny Commissions had the right to
scrutinise decisions as they are being formulated, after they have
been taken and can ask for decisions to be reconsidered. This is
known as “Call-In” and may require the Executive to
consider further comments raised by a scrutiny committee or full
Council before they are implemented.
Before each quarterly meeting of the Overview and
Scrutiny Management Board there was a Mayoral Question Time when
Councillors could ask questions of the Mayor related to items on the
agenda. This meeting was open to the public to observe
and watch online via webcast.
