What is Overview & Scrutiny?

Overview and Scrutiny came into being following the Local Government Act 2000. This Act established a clear distinction between the role of the executive (Cabinet) in proposing and implementing policies, and the role of non-executive members in reviewing policy and scrutinising the executive.

Overview & Scrutiny provides checks and balances to the executive. It should be a constructive process which:

• Offers challenge and evidence-based alternatives to ideas and approaches that the Cabinet intends to take

• Provides opportunities to monitor the effectiveness of the Council’s work and suggest improvements where appropriate

• Ensures that the best interests of the people of Hampshire are being met by the activities of the Council and other agencies.

Overview & Scrutiny can include any of the following activities:

• Assisting the Cabinet and Executive Members to make effective decisions by examining issues beforehand and making recommendations – this is called ‘pre-scrutiny’

• Challenging a decision made by the Cabinet or an Executive Member before it has been implemented (often known as a 'Call-in')

• Reviewing decisions after they have been implemented to see if they achieved what was intended and were good decisions

• Suggesting new policy areas where the Council should be taking action and reviewing the effectiveness of existing policies.

• Reviewing the effectiveness or efficiency of any function of the Council

• Examining the work of other agencies and partnerships to assess their impact on the people of Hampshire and challenge or suggest improvements where appropriate