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The Constitution : Part 1 Appendix 1

Chapter 6 - Policy Review (Overview and Scrutiny) Committees

6.1 Under the Local Government Act 2000, the Council must establish at least one Overview and Scrutiny committee. The Council has decided to appoint five such committees and to call them Policy Review Committees. Representation on these committees will bear the same proportionality as the political composition of the whole Council (Section 21(11) of the Local Government Act 2000).

6.2 The role of each Policy Review Committee is :

a) To act as critical friend to the Executive in its roles of decision making, performance management and direction setting;

      b) To review the impact of decisions and policy;

      c) To support the Executive in policy development;

      d) To undertake internal and external reviews incorporating Best Value principles

6.3 The Council appoints the Policy Review Committees, set out in the left-hand column of the table below, to perform the functions conferred by Section 21 of the Local Government Act 2000 and Regulations under Section 32 of the Local Government Act 2000, in relation to the matters set out in the right-hand column.

Committee

Scope

Policy and Resources

Coordinating Scrutiny:

To ensure resources of the scrutiny function are being effectively targeted

To ensure the outputs and outcomes of Scrutiny are having impact and being evaluated

To prioritise topics for scrutiny task and finish groups (thematic reviews) to create an annual work programme.

To identify where each thematic review on the work programme should be ratified.

To provide an annual report to Full Council outlining the effectiveness, outcomes and learning of the scrutiny function (i.e. PRCs and overall work programme).

Scrutinising Corporate Functions:

Looking at how policies, services and decisions ensure effective use and management of all resources; how effectively is cross-cutting / corporate policy developed, implemented and performance evaluated and improved.

Efficiency; Human Resources; Partnership working (internal and external); Procurement; Financial Management (eg budget setting and monitoring, final accounts, capital programme, capital receipts); asset and estate management; Information management (including records management); Communication; Use of IT; Health and Safety; Corporate policy and performance; Business Units.

Departments Covered:

    · Chief Executive's

    · Treasurers

    · Property Business and Regulatory Services (Property and Business particularly)

    · IT Services

    · Recreation and Heritage (Records Management)

    · Potentially whole organisation as a corporate entity

Children and Young People

Looking at how the needs and interests of children and young people are met by all departments, policies, services and decisions; and how performance is evaluated and improved.

Universal, targeted and specialist services for children & young people: prevention and management of risk; social care; children's and young people's wellbeing; Education - supporting and enabling learning for all children and young people; internal and external partnership working re Children and Young People (i.e. Recreation and Heritage / Adult Services); supporting parents and families.

Departments Covered:

    · Children's Services

    · Recreation and Heritage

    · Any other Department doing work with or impacting on Children or Young People

Safe and Healthy People

Looking at how policies, services and decisions support safe, well, independent, and continuously developing people (adults and older persons).; how they are implemented and how performance is evaluated and improved.

Working alongside the Health Overview and Scrutiny function with primary focus on how Hampshire County Council is contributing to delivering the Wellbeing agenda for adults; crime prevention; crime and disorder; adult social care; promoting independence and quality of life for older people, healthy and safe families; Regulatory Services

Departments Covered:

    · Adult Services

    · Chief Executive's

    · Recreation and Heritage

    · Property Business and Regulatory Services (particularly Regulatory Services)

    · Any other relevant functions in other Departments

Culture and Communities

Looking at how policies, services and decisions support thriving culture and sustainable, inclusive communities; how they are implemented and how performance is evaluated and improved.

Culture and recreation; heritage; economic development; community development; developing sustainable communities; supporting diversity and inclusion; community engagement and consultation; lifelong learning for adults

Departments Covered:

    · Recreation and Heritage

    · Chief Executive's

    · Adult Services

    · Environment

    · Any other relevant functions in other Departments

Environment and Transport

Looking at how policies, services and decisions support a positive and sustainable environment, accessibility to services for all and effective management of natural resources; how they are implemented and how performance is evaluated and improved.

Passenger transport; transport policy; road infrastructure; access; protection of the environment; sustainable development; climate change; land management; waste management.

Departments Covered:

    · Environment

    · Recreation and Heritage

    · Children's Services

    · Adult Services

Health Review

Planning and undertaking overview and scrutiny of health within powers provided by Section 7 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001. Responding to NHS bodies who have a duty to consult on proposals for substantial development and variation in provision of health services.

6.4 General role

Within their scope, Policy Review Committees will:

    a)  review and scrutinise decisions made, or actions taken, in connection with performing any of the Council's functions

    b)  make reports or recommendations to the full Council, the Executive, or any Policy or Joint Committee, in connection with performing any function

    c)  consider any matter affecting the area or its citizens

d)  exercise the right to call in, for reconsideration, decisions made but not yet implemented by the Executive or any Policy Review or Joint Committee.

6.5   Specific functions

6.5.1 Policy development and review

Policy Review Committees may:

    a)  assist the Council and the Executive, at their request, to develop the budget and policy framework by in-depth analysis of policy issues

    b)  conduct research and consultations in the analysis of policy issues and possible options   

    c)  question members of the Executive or Committees, and Chief Officers, about their views on issues and proposals affecting their remit

    d) liaise with external organisations as appropriate.

6.5.2 Scrutiny

Policy Review Committees may:

    a) review and scrutinise Executive or Committee decisions, service delivery and performance

    b)  review and scrutinise the Council's service delivery and performance, performance concerning its policy objectives, performance targets and particular service areas

    c)  question members of the Executive or Committee and Chief Officers about their decisions and performance; whether compared to service plans and targets, or related to particular decisions, initiatives or projects

    d)  make recommendations to the Executive, appropriate Committee or Council arising from the scrutiny process

    e)  review and scrutinise the performance of other public bodies in the area (including matters relating to the health service in line with Section 21 of the Local Government Act 2000); invite reports from them by asking them to address the Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee; and, if appropriate, address the community about their activities and performance

    f)  question and gather evidence from people or organisations that can inform the scrutiny process.


6.5.3 Finance

    Policy Review Committees may exercise overall responsibility for any money made available to them.

6.5.4 Annual Report

    The Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee will submit to the full Council meeting in September of each year an account of the activities and outcomes of the scrutinyfunction for the last year and a tentative list of intended scrutiny inquiries for the following year.

6.5.5  Proceedings of Policy Review Committees

    Policy Review Committees will conduct their proceedings in line with the Policy Review (Overview and Scrutiny) Procedure policy, set out in Part 3:D of this Constitution.