Overview and Scrutiny

So what is Overview and Scrutiny?

It is a key part of the Council's political structure and plays a vital role in improving the services that the people of the District use, whether a resident, employed here or just visiting.

It does not just look at the way the Council does things, it can look at anything which affects the lives of people within the District and it allows citizens to have a greater say in Council matters.

How does it link into the decision making process?

Bromsgrove District Council is led by the Cabinet - a group of elected District Councillors who make executive decisions relating to Council matters which fall within the Council’s agreed Budget and Policy Framework.  The Forward Plan sets out the key decisions which will be taken over the next few months.

Those Councillors who are not part of the Cabinet are able to participate in Overview and Scrutiny, whereby the Council's policies and the proposed or actual decisions of the Cabinet can be examined in detail.

Overview and scrutiny investigations lead to reports and recommendations which advise the Cabinet and Council as a whole on its policies, budget and service delivery.

How does Overview and Scrutiny work at Bromsgrove?

Bromsgrove District Council has an Overview Board and a Scrutiny Board and each Board met for the first time in November 2008.  The two Boards replaced the former Scrutiny Steering Board.  

Both the Overview Board and the Scrutiny Board have their own work programme and as well as considering items as a Board, each can establish a Task Group to carry out in-depth investigations which are time-limited.

For more information on specific investigations that are or have been undertaken, please view the overview and scrutiny investigations page which includes reports containing recommendations as well as Cabinet reponses to the recommendations put forward.

The 'Guide to Overview and Scrutiny' is a detailed document which provides guidance to anyone who is interested in the Overview and Scrutiny process operated at Bromsgrove District Council.  However, due to the recent changes to the Overview and Scrutiny structure together with recent legislation, a review has been undertaken.  This is likely to lead to changes so to strengthen overview and scrutiny further and ensure the structure is fit for purpose for the future.  Therefore, the guide is currently being updated.  However, in the meantime, if you require any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch using the contact details that can be found at the bottom of this page.

What is the difference between Overview and Scrutiny?

In brief, the Overview Board is forward looking and plays a major part in the development of Council policy, whereas the Scrutiny Board scrutinises the decisions taken by the Cabinet.

For more information on the roles of each Board, you can view the pages relating to the Overview Board and Scrutiny Board.

Want to get involved?

If you have any comments/views you would like to put forward, the Overview and Scrutiny Members would like to hear from you as they are keen to ensure that they are investigating the things that concern you the most.  There are many ways to get involved and you can find out more on how to do this on the Public Participation page.

Still have questions?

If you have any questions about the Council's Overview and Scrutiny function, or if there is a subject which you think the Councillors should look at in detail, please email scrutiny@bromsgrove.gov.uk.  Alternatively, you can contact us by writing to:  Scrutiny Officer, Committee Section, Democratic Services, Bromsgrove District Council, The Council House, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 1AA.