Overview and Scrutiny is a way of working for all Local Authorities. It was introduced by the Government to make councils' decision-making more accountable and effective. It is a key part of the political management arrangements for Doncaster Council.
Overview and Scrutiny Standing Panels examine decisions and recommendations of the Council and other bodies such as the local National Health Service (NHS). There are also "think tanks", openly exploring issues, services and policies.
They:
Scrutiny is unable to respond to individual complaints. Scrutiny does not replace the complaints system - information on how to complain can be obtained from the following web page:
Frequently asked questions - Complaints
You can get involved by:
Attend Meetings - most Scrutiny meetings are open to the public and you can listen to the debate and discussion. They are generally held in the Mansion House, in central Doncaster, as well as at other locations in the Borough.
Raise an Issue - if you wish to bring something to the attention of Scrutiny, you can make a statement at a relevant Panel meeting, or write or e-mail the Chair of the relevant Panel.
Consultation - you could be asked for your views on an issue or be invited to provide any specialist knowledge you have by being a witness in a Scrutiny Review.
Doncaster has a Management Committee and four Overview and Scrutiny Standing Panels made up of Councillors plus others who can be co-opted from outside organisations and groups. They are:
"Ad Hoc" time-limited Panels can also be set up, such as the Black and Ethnic Minority Panel, set up in response to the Mayoral White Paper, "BME, Towards a Better Understanding".
The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (OSMC) (please see link below) - aligns to the Corporate Plan theme of "Achieving Excellence". It considers Corporate issues which are fundamental to service improvements e.g. Human Resources, Legal Services, ICT etc. and Partnerships, Policy Development, Governance issues, Trading and Facilities Management etc. OSMC also coordinates and manages the work of the four Standing Panels.
They aim to improve the well-being of Doncaster people, and the services they receive by:
The Panels consider views and information from across the community to help them draw on a wide level of knowledge and experience. Sources include:
If you would like to find out more about the work of Overview and Scrutiny or a particular Scrutiny Panel you can complete the Overview and Scrutiny Enquiry Form below.
Overview and Scrutiny Enquiry E-Form
For further information regarding the Overview and Scrutiny Function in Doncaster, please download the Scrutiny Handbook below.
Work Plans/Working Groups/In-depth Reviews 2009/10
Work plans are established for OSMC and the four Standing Panels for the current year in order to set an agreed programme of work on important issues/concerns that have been raised by either Elected Members or members of the public.
Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee
During the course of the year the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee has included the following issues within its work programme:
Detailed review of the 2009/10 budget proposals including specific recommendations on the level of Council Tax and future investment in services
Detailed consideration of the proposed Eco Town in Rossington including a public meeting which was well attended by over 50 people
Consideration of the progress made by the Council and other agencies in working together to tackle flood risk. The Committee held a meeting in Toll Bar which was attended by over 80 people and heard evidence from the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water, South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue
Gaining an understanding of the work undertaken by the Local Strategic Partnership and how Scrutiny will effectively review the work of the LSP in the future
The Committee has also established two task groups to consider Deprivation, Health Inequalities and Worklessness and Drug and Alcohol Misuse Among Young People
Safer, Stronger and Sustainable Communities Panel
Housing Task Group
The Safer, Stronger and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel established a working group to look at housing issues in more detail following approval of the Housing Strategy by Full Council on 7th March 2008. Members have considered issues including housing regeneration, affordable housing, family intervention projects and housing for asylum seekers.
Consideration of these items had fed into the various strategies and work undertaken to meet the requirements of the Housing Strategy.
Economy and Enterprise Panel
Regeneration Inspection Working Group
Members from the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Panel were invited to attend a Regeneration Inspection Working Group to look at the recommendations that came out of the Regeneration Inspection Report. Through a series of working group meetings and reports that were considered formally through the panel, a number of recommendations had been formed. Panel Members have received evidence through formed plans and developing strategies and held a number of debates with a number of invited representatives including Job Centre Plus, Learning Skills Council, Doncaster College and Job Mates. One of the recommendations from the review is to attend a site visit to another Local Authority area with similarities to Doncaster.
Schools Children and Young People Panel
Discretionary Transport
The Schools Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel have looked, in detail, at the future provision of discretionary school transport in Doncaster. The Panel held an extraordinary meeting to discuss this issue and invited representatives from Doncaster schools, the Church of England and Roman Catholic Diocese and Doncaster College to attend the meeting in order to give them an opportunity to express their views and opinions on the changes proposed by the Authority. The meeting was very well attended and the Panel considered the feedback that they received both at the meeting and through the extensive consultation process before making its recommendations to the Executive.
Healthier Communities and Vulnerable People Panel
Type 2 Diabetes in Doncaster
'The Healthier Communities and Vulnerable People Panel carried out a review of Type 2 Diabetes in Doncaster. A range of healthcare professionals and diabetes sufferers were invited to attend the one-day meeting. Members received evidence on the prevention, detection and treatment of type 2 diabetes from Consultants, specialist diabetes nurses and dieticians. Additionally, people suffering from type 2 diabetes provided an invaluable insight into what it is like to live with and manage their condition. The review was particularly successful as it broadened Councillors knowledge of the condition and also led to recommendations being made, particularly relating to support for people with diabetes'.
(To find out more Scrutiny information, go to the related link in the left hand column of this page).
2004/05
A copy of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2004/05 is attached below.
2005/06
A copy of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2005/06 is attached below.
2006/07
A copy of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2006/07 is attached below.
2007/08
A copy of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Review 2007/08 is attached below.
2008/09
A copy of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Review 2008/09 is attached below.
