The Overview and Scrutiny Board will exercise the following functions:

1. establishing ad hoc scrutiny panels and 1. appointing their membership;

2. considering a request made by any 5 members for the calling-in of an Executive decision, or referring any such request to a standing scrutiny commission for consideration;

3. recommending a rolling programme of scrutiny and review annually to the Council, including:

4. the undertaking of Best Value reviews, or the scrutinizing of such a review, by a standing commission or ad hoc scrutiny panel;

5. the undertaking of reviews of policy, or of the implementation of policy, by a standing commission or ad hoc panel;

6. revising the rolling programme on behalf of the Council on a quarterly basis, reporting to the Council the revisions made;

7. managing the resources of the Council available for scrutiny and review activity

8. setting the terms of reference of ad hoc scrutiny panels, appointing the Chair and determining the size of membership of such a commission and approving a list of individuals to be invited to become co-opted members of a commission, or a list of organizations to be invited to nominate a representative as such a member.

9. To carry out an annual review of the Council’s audit programme.

The Overview and Scrutiny Board will appoint standing commissions as follows:

(i) Regeneration and Social Inclusion: Regeneration, Crime and Community safety

(ii) Governance and Resources: Finance, Human Resources, Law and Democratic Services, ICT and Corporate Policies

(iii) Living in Hackney: Housing and Environment

(iv) Health in Hackney: Social Services, Children & Young people, Older People, Health Services however delivered

(v) Education and Learning: Learning Trust and lifelong Learning

The Overview and Scrutiny Board may establish ad hoc scrutiny panels, drawn from amongst those members of the Council who are not members of the executive, to report to the Council within terms of reference set in accordance with the annual programme of scrutiny and review agreed by the Council.

The Overview and Scrutiny Board must report annually to the Full Council on their workings, and make recommendations to the Full Council for future work programmes and amended working methods if appropriate.

Within their terms of reference Overview and Scrutiny Commissions will:

1. Review and/or scrutinize decisions made or actions taken in connection with the discharge of any of the Council’s functions;

2. Make reports and/or recommendations to the Full Council and/or the executive and/or any Neighbourhood Committee in connection with the discharge of any functions;

Overview and Scrutiny Commissions may:

1. assist the Council and the executive in the development of its budget and policy framework by in-depth analysis of policy issues;

2. conduct research, community and other consultation in the analysis of policy issues and possible options;

3. consider and implement mechanisms to encourage and enhance community participation in the development of policy options;

4. question members of the executive and Chief Officers (accompanied by other specialist officers) about their views on issues and proposals affecting the area; and

5. liaise with other external organizations operating in the area, whether national, regional or local, to ensure that the interests of local people are enhanced by collaborative working

6. review and scrutinize the decisions made by and performance of the executive and Council officers both in relation to individual decisions and over time;

7. review and scrutinize the performance of the Council in relation to its policy objectives, performance targets and/or particular service areas;

8. question members of the executive and Chief Officers about their decisions and performance, whether generally in comparison with service plans and targets over a period of time, or in relation to particular decisions, initiatives or projects;

9. make recommendations to the Full Council and/or the executive arising from the outcome of the scrutiny process;

10. review and scrutinize the performance of other public bodies in the area and invite reports from them by requesting them to address the overview and scrutiny commission and local people about their activities and performance; and

11. question and gather evidence from any person (with their consent).

Overview and scrutiny Commissions may exercise responsibility for the finances made available to them.