Scrutiny CommitteesWhat do scrutiny committees do?
Scrutiny committees take a close look at council decisions and activities and call for the council to be open and accountable. They examine services provided by the council and review the council's budget and policies. Scrutiny can look at, or 'call-in', decisions made by the executive and recommend decisions are changed or reconsidered.
The committees may review other organisations that provide services to Southwark residents. For example, in 2004 Thames Water was subject to a scrutiny investigation when local homes were left without water. Scrutiny may also review some statutory services including the National Health Service (NHS).
Scrutiny does not look at individual complaints but looks at issues that affect a number of people.
What are the scrutiny committees in 2008-09?
This year three sub committees were not re-established; the housing, environment and comunity support and regeneration and resources scrutiny sub committees. For information about these sub committes, including copies of agendas and reports, please contact Scrutiny@southwark.gov.uk.
Any elected councillor who is not on the executive can be appointed to a scrutiny committee. Between five and nine councillors sit on each scrutiny committee, representing a cross-section of political parties in Southwark.
Representatives from the community may be on a scrutiny committee. For example, scrutiny committees that look at education matters include representatives from the Church of England and Roman Catholic dioceses and elected parent governors.
What happens during a scrutiny review?
Once a committee has decided what topic it will review, it will start gathering evidence. The evidence can come from a range of people including experts, community groups, council officers and members of the public. The committee may gather evidence in other ways, for example, going on a site visit or carrying out 'mystery shopping' to find out how a service is performing.
After hearing the evidence the committee will produce a final report containing recommendations for the executive or other body, such as the NHS. They will consider the report and tell the committee whether or not it agrees with its recommendations and what it will do about them.
See some scrutiny reports.
Can I attend scrutiny meetings?
Yes. Scrutiny meetings are generally open to the public. Each scrutiny committee meets about six times a year.
Can I suggest an issue to be looked at by a scrutiny review?
Yes. Scrutiny committees are keen to investigate and review issues that matter to the people of Southwark. You can suggest something you feel scrutiny members should look into by completing and returning a scrutiny suggestion form.
Where can I find scrutiny agendas and meeting papers?
Contact us
Scrutiny team
Tel: 020 7525 7344
Scrutiny@southwark.gov.uk
Town Hall
Peckham Road
London
SE5 8UB
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
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