About
The Council has established three Overview and Scrutiny Panels. The three Overview and Scrutiny Panels meet in public to discuss and make recommendations on the development of the Council’s various plans and strategies, and on reports going to Cabinet and holds the Cabinet to account for its actions. The Overview and Scrutiny Panels also have a key role in considering other matters of local concern not necessarily just within the Council’s areas of responsibility but affecting the Royal Borough and its communities. Where included in the terms of reference the Overview and Scrutiny Panels also hold partner organisations to account. In undertaking their role, the Overview and Scrutiny Panels will have the power to ‘call-in’ decisions of the Cabinet or any body or individual exercising executive powers. The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Panel will have responsibility for monitoring the budget allocated to Overview and Scrutiny each year. Any Councillor may attend meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panels. Cabinet Members and Executive Directors will be expected to attend when their Cabinet reports/proposals are being considered and will be entitled to participate at the invitation of the Chair. The terms of reference for this meeting can be found in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution.