About
Scrutiny is a process whereby councillors can play an influential role in the shaping of policy and decisions that will have a real benefit on behalf of the community they represent. The Committees helps ensure that the Council delivers its key aims and objectives, by creating an open, transparent mechanism for Members to shape, question, evaluate and challenge the Council policies, decisions and performance. At Woking there are three scrutiny committees;
Communities & Housing Scrutiny Committee Environment & Place Scrutiny Committee
Resource & Finance Scrutiny Committee.
Within their individual focussed remit (listed below), these Committees monitor performance, review and evaluate services, question decisions and plans made by the council’s Executive, listen to the concerns of local people, and where appropriate make recommendations for action and change. Four key roles for scrutiny are:
· Holding the Executive, individual Portfolio Holders and Chief Officers to account and ensuring corporate priorities are met.
· Policy development and review.
· External scrutiny, where the committees look at issues which lie outside the Council’s responsibilities.
· Performance management and best value. Remit of the Communities & Housing Scrutiny Committee Community Centres, Community development, Regeneration, Cultural development, Sports development, Voluntary/faith communities, Community Meals, Independent living, Community safety, Health and wellbeing, Homelessness, Housing assets, Housing needs, Housing Revenue Account, Refugee support.