Scrutiny

Scrutiny ensures that local government remains transparent, accountable, and open. This results in improved public policies and services. The principal power of a scrutiny committee is to influence the policies and decisions made by full Council, Cabinet and other organisations involved in delivering public services. Scrutiny Boards gather evidence on issues affecting local people and makes recommendations based on the findings.

For scrutiny to be effective it needs to be seen as a ‘supportive friend’ and it is important to identify where decisions could be improved and how to prevent mistakes being made or repeated. It is important to note that Scrutiny Committees make recommendations rather than decisions.

There are six scrutiny committees within Coventry City Council. All services that affect people who live or work in the city will be covered by one of the committees. Some committees have specific powers to scrutinise external partners of the council, such as the Police or health services.

Scrutiny boards can:

• Play a part in developing Council policy
• Review Council services
• Make sure the Council is acting efficiently and effectively
• Scrutinise the work of public bodies – not the Council – especially for health and crime and disorder matters and carry out work with partners during the reviews

Scrutiny is designed to increase transparency at the Council and enable decisions and policy to be challenged. Scrutiny publishes an Annual Report to Council every year detailing some of the work the Boards have done over the previous year. Read the most recent annual report.

Papers are available to view and anyone is welcome to attend the meetings (unless an item is exempt under certain reasons). Scrutiny works better if you get involved – why not suggest a topic for scrutiny, give evidence at a meeting or host a site visit.