Scrutiny

Ways to get involved

There are several ways to get involved with scrutiny. You can:

• Observe a meeting
• Suggest a topic to be scrutinised
• Be invited to submit evidence or information for a scrutiny task and finish group (review)

Observe a meeting

Meetings usually take place at the Council House, however meetings can take place anywhere there is public access. Members of the public are welcome to observe meetings or be invited to give evidence for a task and finish (review). You'll find all the agendas, minutes and papers for meetings on our website. The papers for the next Board are usually available five days before the meeting.

Procedures at the scrutiny committees are governed by a number of rules. These rules are set out in Sections of the Council’s Constitution.

At a Scrutiny meeting there is a set agenda which has standing items as well as several substantial items. These items are usually presented at the meeting by Council officers and the Cabinet Member and then scrutiny board members will ask questions about the information in the presentation or report. These questions should be aimed at finding out where the Council is doing well and where it could be doing better. At the end of the item the Board can make recommendations of things they would like to see to improve things or further information to provide a better picture. Sometimes the board will ask for a further update to see whether things have progressed as planned.

Occasionally, confidential or exempt information has to be considered by a committee and so relevant business may then be dealt with in private session.

The scrutiny committees would welcome input into their workplans from members of the public. Scrutiny works better if you get involved – why not suggest a topic for scrutiny, give evidence at a meeting or host a site visit. If you wish to speak at a meeting, please contact scrutiny@coventry.gov.uk  who can discuss your request with the relevant Chair.

Suggesting a topic for scrutiny

The Boards write a work plan at the beginning of every Council year (1 May), topics are chosen to make sure they look at the major issues.

We are always keen to hear from you about things you think should be improved in the city. If there is something you think should be considered for the work programme, please get in touch.

The scrutiny work is meant to be make sure everyone can see the Council is acting properly. 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.

Follow us @covscrutiny where we share the topics to consider at scrutiny meetings.

Submitting evidence

For a task and finish group or review, scrutiny look at a specific topic in more detail. The group may ask for contributions or evidence from those involved in the service area being reviewed. Those individuals will be invited to participate.