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 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 Resource & Finance Scrutiny
Committee
Asset Management,
Corporate Finance planning and
policy, Council tax,
Fees and charges, Revs and Benefits,
Corporate strategy and policy
review, Customer services,
HR services,
Digital services and,
ICT, Democratic and Legal Services, Elections and electoral
registration, Marketing, Communications &
engagement, Improvement/Recovery Plan, Medium Term Financial
Strategy, and Transformation.