Overview and scrutiny

Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) is a vital, non-political function of local government, focused on the issues that matter most to residents and communities. It plays a key role in holding decision-makers to account, helping to improve public services and shape more effective policies.

While O&S Committees do not have direct decision-making powers, they influence outcomes by challenging decisions and making evidence based recommendations to decision makers across the Westmorland and Furness area.

Through review activities, O&S helps drive policy development and enhance performance across services. It also plays an important role in monitoring how well these services meet public needs.

O&S Committees follow four key principles, recommended by the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny:

•    provide a ‘critical friend’ challenge to policy and decision makers 
•    reflect the voice and concerns of the public  
•    be led and owned by the independent-minded elected members of the Council  
•    drive improvement in public services  

How O&S Works

The work of O&S Committees is delivered through a range of formats:

• Public Meetings - held quarterly and open to all, these meetings offer a platform for councillors to question, scrutinise, and explore key issues and decisions. Community participation is encouraged.
• Informal Sessions - these are closed meetings and can be used for briefings and scrutiny, or when discussing sensitive, commercially confidential information.
• Scrutiny Reviews (Task and Finish Groups) - these small working groups conduct in-depth investigations into specific issues. They may include external experts and community members to provide additional insight and lived experience.

O&S Committees

The Council appoints six committees each year to carry out the work of overview and scrutiny: 

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee has overall responsibility for the Council's scrutiny function including the approval of a work programme in accordance with the objectives of the Council Plan and arrangements for the scrutiny of other public bodies particularly where required to do so by law.

Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Committee

Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Committee undertakes overview and scrutiny of all the powers and duties of the Council relating to children, young people and families.

Health and Adults Scrutiny Committee

Health and Adults Scrutiny Committee undertakes overview and scrutiny of all the powers and duties of the Council relating to health, public health adults, housing and homelessness and public protection.  In addition to scrutinise the planning, provision and operation of health services in the Westmorland and Furness area (as conferred on the Authority by Section 244 of the National Health Service Act 2006).

Communities and Environment Scrutiny Committee

Communities and Environment Scrutiny Committee undertakes overview and scrutiny of all the powers and duties of the Council relating to the environment, safer, stronger and inclusive communities, planning, highways, transport and economic regeneration.  In addition, fulfils the Councils duty to scrutinise the reduction of flood risk and activity in relation to Crime and Disorder, Community Safety and fear of crime.

Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Hosted services

Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Hosted Services undertakes overview and scrutiny of the work of the Joint Executive Committee which has oversight and management of the shared functions and services with Cumberland Council, including the implementation of disaggregation plans.

Police, Fire and Crime Panel

Police, Fire and Crime Panel undertakes overview and scrutiny of the decisions and actions of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.  The Panel is joint with Cumberland Council, hosted by Westmorland and Furness Council.