What is Scrutiny?
In 2000, the government set a programme for reforming and modernising local government, with new ways of working that put their people and communities first.
As there is no agreed definition of Scrutiny, it is best to see it as an umbrella term covering a wide range of roles. It seeks to improve services for the local community by undertaking four roles:
Holding the Executive to Account
This involves scrutinising Cabinet decisions, the Cabinet Forward Plan and using Call-In or other mechanisms to comment constructively, or intervene in the decision-making process.
Policy Development & Review
Policy development involves shaping the formulation of key Council policies before implementation. This can take a number of different forms including; proposing new policies and commenting on draft policies and examining which intended policy outcomes have been achieved.
Review of Council Services
To ensure that Council services are achieving both customer satisfaction and value for money, scrutiny is used to review these functions, monitor Council performance and ensure standards are being met.
External Scrutiny
Scrutiny Committees are not confined to looking only at Council services. They are able to investigate the actions of other companies and organisations whose actions affect Eastbourne residents. The government is keen for Scrutiny to develop a strong outward focus, encouraging participation from partners and the public.
