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 Environment & Place Scrutiny
Committee
Accessibility,
Building control, Development
management, Planning policy,
Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Flood risk management,
Economic development, UKSPF, Environmental
health, Environmental maintenance, Open spaces and play
areas, Woking Palace,
Infrastructure, Local Plan, Parking
services, Recycling and
Waste collection.