Frequently Asked Questions
How do I suggest a new topic for review?
We run an annual Scrutiny Residents Survey each year to gauge the views of local communities about priorities for forthcoming reviews. There is also a topic selection form and more information on our page about how to get involved, or you can contact the team directly.
Can I ask questions at meetings?
Scrutiny meetings are 'meetings in public' not 'public meetings'- we use them to formally receive evidence as part of our reviews, and to question invitees. Allowance for members of the public to ask questions or make statements is entirely at the discretion of the Chair, and depends on how much time the agenda allows. This is not to say that residents' input is not welcomed, but that it is often sought in different ways.
How will I be informed of progress?
If you were involved in the review, no doubt you will want to keep up to date with what has happened since a review's conclusion.
The Commission may place an article in Council Publications, advising people of what has happened. Those involved in the review may be mailed leaflets updating them on progress, or given invitations to future meetings when progress reports are being discussed.
You can also directly request updates from the relevant Scrutiny officer. Please contact us using the contact details on the right.
How can I provide feedback?
If you have been involved in a recent Scrutiny review or consultation process and would like to give us some feedback, please take time to fill in our feedback questionnaire (Word, KB). General feedback can be provided by email to scrutiny@hackney.gov.uk.
What happens if a member has a personal interest in an item?
If a Member declares an interest, then it must be recorded in the Register of Interests (records for each member can be found in the Councillors section.
Further information on personal and prejudicial interests can be found by viewing the code of conduct (Word).
Who supports Scrutiny?
Each Scrutiny Commission is assisted by the Overview and Scrutiny Team and has its own dedicated Overview and Scrutiny Officer who undertakes research, organises consultation and briefs panel members with relevant information. Commissions are also supported in organising meetings, preparing agendas and minutes, inviting people to attend meetings and taking a lead in drafting panel reports.
What happens after a scrutiny review?
The officers who support a Scrutiny Commission will always endeavour to contact stakeholders who have been involved once the draft report is finalised, to allow them the opportunity to provide comments. Once a review has been completed (and is officially signed off by the Overview and Scrutiny Board) the final report is passed to Cabinet for comment. The relevant Cabinet Member (or Members, if the review topic sits across more than one portfolio) is obliged to provide a response to each of the review's recommendations- detailing whether they accept the proposals, and how they will implement them. This response and the scrutiny final report are then discussed at Council.
After an agreed length of time (usually about six months) the Cabinet Members and officers are required to return to a meeting of the Scrutiny Commission to explain how the accepted recommendations have been applied. If the Commission is unsatisfied with the responses they can request a secondary feedback session, or write to the Cabinet Member directly.
What if an issue affects more than one borough?
Overview and Scrutiny functions can join forces across borough boundaries. This has been completed recently in scrutinising health matters but could be completed on any topic that affects more than one area.
Does Overview and Scrutiny only cover council services?
No - council Overview and Scrutiny functions can request information from any public service in the borough (or wider, if done collaboratively with other scrutiny functions).
Where can I find out more information about Overview and Scrutiny?
The Overview and Scrutiny webpages have background information about how we operate in Hackney and provides information about all the projects we have been involved in. If you have a specific query, please contact us using the details on the right.
Have you got a question that we haven't answered here?
Please email scrutiny@hackney.gov.uk and you will get a response. If lots of people ask the same question, we'll add it as an FAQ.
Page updated: 22 Dec 2011
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