The Value Overview and Scrutiny Committee undertakes
the Council’s scrutiny function with regard to Council
governance, finance and customer services. In general, the
Committee is able to look at any issue involving the way in which
the Council manages its own budgets, its democratic processes and
how it deals with residents.
The Committee’s focus is strategic and
policy-orientated, which means that it isn’t the place to
consider individual complaints or concerns. However, the Committee
does look at how the Council’s assets, resources (including
human resources) and communications are used and managed. It can
question Cabinet members, officers and other organisations to
ensure that the Council is efficient, accountable and a good deal
for residents.
Specific areas that the Committee is tasked with
scrutinising include but are not exclusive to:
·
Customer access
·
E-government and ICT
·
Finance (although each committee is responsible for budget
processes that affect its area of oversight)
·
Human resources
·
Asset Management
·
Property resources
·
Facilities Management
·
Communications
·
Democratic Services
·
Social inclusion
·
Councillor Call for Action
The Committee is keen to hear of any matters that
residents feel could be examined by scrutiny. If you would like
scrutiny to consider any area please let us know using the form on
our main website, if it is something the Committee can help with we
will let you know.
Topic Groups
Occasionally, the Committee will deem that some
issues require an in-depth investigation. The Committee will then
form what are called ‘topic groups’, formed of a
smaller number of councillors to meet with residents, service
providers, outside experts and professionals to explore how
services work and consider ways of improving them.
In the past, the Committee has undertaken topic
groups on a range of matters, some of which are listed
below:
·
The Paperless Council
·
Elections process