Glossary
Below you will find a glossary of frequently used Scrutiny related terms.
Agenda
A list of reports and other items to be dealt with at a meeting
Backbench Councillor
A Councillor who is not a Member of the Cabinet. These councillors are also known as Frontline Members or Non-Executive Members.
Cabinet
The Councillors responsible for advising the Mayor when making decisions, within the policy and budget framework decided by the council.
Call-In
This is a formal procedure to allow the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to review a decision of the Executive before it is implemented. Further information is available on the Call-In page.
Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA)
An assessment and inspection programme undertaken by the Audit Commission. The CPA identifies the strengths and capacity of the Council, as well as areas where more support is needed.
From November 2009 this has been replaced by the Comprehensive Area Assessment, which focuses on the achievements of local partners as well as the Council. More information is available on the Audit Commission website.
Co-Opted Member
Local Authorities have general powers to include Co-opted Members on their Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Scrutiny Commissions. On Education matters there are statutory Co-optees who represent the Church of England and Catholic Dioceses, and there are Parent Governor representatives. These members are not elected members of the Authority but are members of the community with specific expertise and knowledge. A Co-opted Member, with the exception of Statutory Education Co-optees, has no voting rights.
Councillor
An elected representative on the council. Councillors represent the interests of the constituents who live in their ward and Hackney as a whole.
Directorate Question Time (DQT)
An approach taken by the Overview & Scrutiny Board to considering key thematic concerns in a whole-Council approach. This entails each Directorate presenting on a specified topic (in 2008/09 the topic is Climate Change), so that OSB can understand how each area is working to finding solutions and learn from good practice.
Executive
The executive is responsible for decisions, within the framework decided by the full Council. In Hackney the Executive takes the form of a directly elected Mayor with an advisory Cabinet.
Forward Plan
The Council is required by law to publish on a regular basis a schedule of the significant, key decisions that the executive will take. This can be found on the Forward Plan page of the Council’s website.
Local Government Act 2000
This Act set out new governance arrangements which included the establishment of a Scrutiny function. The Act also gave us a new power to promote the economic, social and environmental well being of their local communities.
Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007
This Act strengthens leadership roles for local authorities to bring local services closer to communities, making them better co-ordinated and offering better value for money. Local Area Agreements (LAAs) and the accompanying duty to cooperate should further incentivise local agencies to work with their communities in a joined up way to improve services and the quality of life.
It is also aimed to empower citizens and promote greater engagement in shaping public policies and services. A new duty will require local authorities to inform, consult and involve local people in running local services; and councillors will be empowered to resolve issues of concern to the communities they represent (if necessary by requiring consideration by Overview and Scrutiny Committees).
Local Area Agreement (LAA)
A set of performance indicators and associated targets agreed between the Council and central government departments, coordinated through the DCLG. These are usually designed to address a specific area of concern. The achievement of the targets can attract additional resources.
Local Strategic Partnership/Team Hackney
The Government requires all local authorities to develop a Local Strategic Partnership involving other local agencies (e.g. the NHS and the Police), local communities and the private sector to co-ordinate effective working at a local level. Further information is available on the Team Hackney website.
Mayor
In Hackney, the Executive is led by a directly elected member of the council (the Mayor) who makes decisions, within the framework decided by the full Council.
Minutes
A record of decisions taken, the background papers received and reasons for the decision at all formal meetings of the council.
National Indicator (NIs)
A way of measuring how a service is performing against its objectives. Performance Indicators may be collected for local or national purposes.
Scrutiny Commissions
Theme-based bodies coordinated by the Overview and Scrutiny Board to review our services, to develop policies and scrutinise other local organisations, including the health service. These are politically balanced and are made up of a selection of non-Executive Councillors.
Page updated: 4 Nov 2008