The Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) convened to establish scrutiny panels, agree on memberships, and appoint representatives to the North Central London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC). The committee also discussed its work programme for the upcoming year, focusing on budget monitoring, performance, and policy issues. Two parent governor representatives were appointed as voting co-opted members to the OSC when educational matters are being considered.

Scrutiny Panel Membership and Terms of Reference

The committee agreed to establish four scrutiny panels for the 2025/26 municipal year:

• Adults and Health
• Children and Young People
• Culture, Community Safety and Environment
• Housing, Planning and Development

The remits and membership for each scrutiny panel were approved, defining the policy areas each panel would cover and the councillors assigned to them. The terms of reference and protocol for the OSC and its panels were also noted.

The committee updated the terms of reference for Overview and Scrutiny to allow more prominent focus on budget monitoring and performance, in light of the council's difficult financial situation. The revised terms of reference also saw culture and leisure move to the remit of the Culture, Community Safety and Environment Scrutiny Panel.

North Central London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) Appointments

Councillor Matt White, Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and Councillor Pippa Connor, Vice-Chair, were approved as the two Haringey representatives to the North Central London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) for 2025/26. The JHOSC deals with strategic, area-wide issues related to the co-ordination, commissioning and provision of NHS health services across Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington.

Appointment of Parent Governor Representatives

The committee formally approved the appointment of Camilla Borthwick-Fox, Parent Governor at Ferry Lane Primary School, and Christine Cordon, Parent Governor at North Harringay Primary, as voting co-opted members. They will participate in meetings when educational matters are being considered by the OSC and will also serve on the Children and Young People's Scrutiny Panel, which has responsibility for considering educational matters.

Work Programme Update

The committee reviewed and noted the draft work programme for 2025/26, agreeing to consider possible agenda items and reports for upcoming meetings. The next meeting was scheduled for 22 July 2025, with key items including:

• Cabinet Member Questions with the Leader of the Council
• 2024/25 Provisional Financial Outturn report and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) update

The committee's work programme will maintain a focus on budget monitoring and performance, with quarterly finance and performance updates scheduled throughout the year. The committee also set aside meetings to consider policy issues not directly related to finance.

Non-Voting Co-optees

The committee considered the appointment of non-voting co-opted members. The Protocol for Non-voting Co-opted Members states that non-voting co-optees are expected to add value to scrutiny by:

• Bringing a diverse spectrum of experience and adding a different perspective to any items
• Acting as a non-party political voice for those who live and/or work in Haringey
• Bringing specialist knowledge and/or skills to the Overview and Scrutiny process and an element of external challenge by representing the public.