Holding the Council to account

The Council is held to account by five Scrutiny Committees, which challenge, where necessary, Cabinet Members' decisions.

Also assisting with policy development, Scrutiny Committees can

  • ask the Cabinet to think again about a decision
  • put local services (for example the NHS) under the spotlight by undertaking in-depth studies
  • summon Cabinet Members and senior Council staff to account for what they have done or plan to do
  • make suggestions to the Cabinet or to full Council about alternative ways of delivering services
  • involve the public in any of the above activities

Councillors from political parties currently represented on the Council sit on Scrutiny Committees. Follow the links below for more information:

 

 

Scrutiny Committee membership, agendas, minutes and documents

Cabinet and Corporate Services

Amongst other things, the committee challenges the way the Council plans to spend your money in its annual budget and seeks ever greater value for money. Its remit also covers community safety issues.  It is chaired by Councillor Judith Blakeman

Health

This committee examines the provision of local health services. It is chaired by Councillor Christopher Buckmaster.

Public Realm

Crucial environmental issues such as waste management and parking operations are investigated by this committee.  It is chaired by Councillor Joanna Gardner.

Family and Children’s Services

Alongside its important work monitoring school performance, this Committee ensures that the borough delivers on its commitment to children’s social care, youth services and libraries. It is chaired by Councillor Professor Sir Anthony Coates.

Housing, Environmental Health and Adult Social Care

This committee scrutinises the condition of adult social care and environmental health and also assesses how Cabinet Members are responding to important housing issues. It is chaired by Councillor Mary Weale.


Annual Scrutiny work programme

Each year, during September, Scrutiny Committees identify and agree a programme of work. Residents, Councillors and Council Officers all participate in this. The programme is not final though, and issues can, with the agreement of the Chairman, be added to it at any time. See the current Annual Scrutiny work programme 2009-2010.

If you would like a Scrutiny Committee to consider something for the programme please see the Suggestions for Scrutiny page.


Scrutiny working group reports

Most of the work of Scrutiny Committees is done by work groups formed specifically to deal with items included on the Annual Work Programme. Once a work group has concluded an in-depth investigation into a matter, a report containing recommendations is usually submitted to Cabinet and in some cases, to Council. For more details and to read current or past reports see Scrutiny working group reports.

 

Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny (JHOSC) reports

All 33 London Boroughs and Essex County Council came together in February 2009 to form a Joint Health OSC (JHOSC) to respond to consultation proposals from 'Healthcare for London' for significant changes to the delivery of major trauma and stroke services in London. For more information, including background and reports see the JHOSC reports.


Annual Reports

Each year in October Scrutiny Chairmen present an Annual Report of their activity for the previous year to Council.

 

Further information

For copies of previous years reports or for any other information on Scrutiny, contact the Scrutiny Development Manager on 020 7361 3494 or by email on: scrutiny@rbkc.gov.uk

 

What Scrutiny does not deal with

Scrutiny does not deal with individual queries, concerns or complaints. If you are not satisfied with a service you have received from us then please see the How to complain page.