Scrutiny

Scrutiny is an important process carried out on behalf of the residents of Rotherham by front line councillors, together with experts with specialist knowledge.

We do this by:

• challenging the Council's performance to raise standards and checking whether our services meet people's needs
• examining the council's cabinet decisions and holding them to account
• looking at issues which affect the wellbeing of the borough and the community eg anti-social behaviour or pollution
• considering the work of outside bodies eg local health services

Each year we publish an Annual Report and work programme, detailing our achievements over the past 12 months and plans for the year ahead.

The report and work programme takes into account the Council's strategic plans which include:

• Corporate Plan
• Community Strategy Summary
• The Forward Plan and Key Decisions

How Scrutiny Works

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB) is made up of a chair elected by the council, councillor Glyn Whelbourn, the chairs and vice-chairs of the four scrutiny select commissions and the leader of the opposition. The role and remit is to:

• manage the call-in process
• receive and deal with any councillor call for action
• be the designated crime and disorder committee
• consider matters relating to equalities and diversity and the Council's specific initiatives to promote them
• coordinate and prioritise the work programme, liaising with other bodies as appropriate
• assign overview and scrutiny work as it considers appropriate
• make recommendations to the Cabinet or any partner organisation on issues scrutinised relevant to those bodies and where appropriate, direct to Council.

OSMB co-ordinates and manages the workload of the select commissions, ensuring that scrutiny of council wide activities and those of other publicly funded bodies in the Rotherham area takes place.

The OSMB and the select commissions will carry out a number of in-depth investigations or reviews into issues affecting the council or the borough.

The four scrutiny select commissions are:

• Self Regulation
• Health
• Improving Lives
• Improving Places

Useful links 

Centre for Public Scrutiny - promotes the value of Scrutiny in modern and effective government.

Local Government Association (LGA) represents the interests of councils across the country.

Local Government Improvement and Development (LGID) is part of the Local Government Group and is dedicated to seeking improvement and sharing best practice in local government.

Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) is a non profit making organisation with involvement from elected members, officers and trade unions. It promotes quality public services via networking, the sharing of information and best practice.

Last update: 18/07/2012