The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published its long-awaited Statutory Guidance on Overview and Scrutiny in Local and Combined Authorities.
The statutory guidance stresses the role of scrutiny committees in holding councils to account over local decision-making.
It tells councils to share any information asked for by their scrutiny committee even if it can’t be shared in public, and to consider if companies delivering services for councils should be required to supply information as well.
Local government minister, Rishi Sunak, said: ‘Scrutiny committees form an integral part of the work of councils in delivering services by acting on behalf of residents to hold councillors and staff to account for the important decisions they make.
’That is why I have set out new guidance to ensure authorities and residents can reap the benefits of effective scrutiny, by instilling a culture that welcomes challenge.’
You can read the guidance here.
SEE can offer support, guidance and training to both officers and councillors involved in overview and scrutiny. For further information or to discuss, please contact Mark Palmer.