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Scrutiny - public services under the microscope

The role of Scrutiny in a modern Council

Under the proposals brought in to modernise the way local government works, Hertfordshire County Council decided to opt for a style of Cabinet Government.

This means that when all 77 County Councillors meet at a full Council Meeting their role is to set the strategic direction for Council Services, receive petitions from the public and reports from the various committees.

Working within this policy framework a Cabinet made up of 9 senior politicians from the ruling party form The Executive and takes the major policy and operational decisions.

The role of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee is to hold The Executive to account by scrutinising:-

• Decisions made by, or on behalf of the Council or Cabinet
• Any operational or policy aspect of the Council’s business

They are also able to scrutinise any issue which affects the County and its residents which may be outside the Council’s control.

Like the Full Council, meetings of scrutiny committees and their topic groups are open to members of the public.

There is also a Health Scrutiny Committee which is independent of the County Council, but is run by the County Council.