Overview and Scrutiny in Cumbria

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board supported by four 'thematic' Advisory Boards are the principal means by which the Cabinet is held to account.  Scrutiny members assist in the development of new County Council policy and by looking at existing policies and services particularly with regard to the effectiveness of their delivery to the service user.

The guiding principle for the work of Overview and Scrutiny Boards is that it should involve constructive criticism, and impartial evidence gathering with the aim of improving decision making.  The emphasis of the work of Overview and Scrutiny Boards is on making a positive contribution to the development of the Council's services, performance and partnership working.

The Council's scrutiny arrangements also includes joint scrutiny arrangements with the Districts.

Scrutiny Management Board (see link above for membership, meeting dates, agenda papers)

• Takes a strategic responsibility for the Council's overview and scrutiny function
• Oversees and approves a single overview and scrutiny work programme for the authority
• Approves the establishing of Task & Finish Group work
• Takes an overview of the Resources, Organisational Development and Chief Executives Directorate
• Oversees scrutiny member training and development
• Undertakes quality control of scrutiny procedures including outputs and added value
• Ensures the County Council's joint overview and scrutiny interests with the districts are adequately represented and supported particularly with regard to the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee and the Cumbria Joint Scrutiny Committee

Scrutiny Advisory Boards (see links below for membership, meeting dates, agenda papers)

Scrutiny Advisory Boards provide

• A forum for regular and consistent (quarterly) thematic performance monitoring in public
• Practical advice and support to SMB members
• A forum for dealing with Call-ins and Councillor Calls for Action (CCFA)
• A forum to follow-up on executive actions arising from previous scrutiny interventions and recommendations
• Guidance and support in the establishment of scrutiny Task & Finish work - helping to identify task group     members who can be drawn from all non-executive councillors and key stakeholder groups as appropriate.
• Guidance and support in the drafting os a single overview and scrutiny work programme.
• To make evidence based recommendations to the Cabinet, Full Council or other organisation as appropriate.