Committee details

The Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee will fulfil the functions of an Overview and Scrutiny Committee as they relate to Health Scrutiny duties falling on the Authority by virtue of the relevant Health Acts and subsequent relevant legislation and Government Guidance; and the portfolio holder responsibilities of the Health and Adults Social Care Portfolio Holder as they relate to health.

The Scrutiny Committee will/may specifically:

1.         discharge the Council’s functions under Section 21 of the Local Government Act 2000 (Scrutiny Committees);

2.         oversee the Council’s overall scrutiny function including the preparation, implementation, monitoring and review of an annual work programme for scrutiny and arrangements for the scrutiny of other public bodies particularly where required to do so by law and where partners can contribute to Community Plan priorities and to Local Area Agreement outcomes;

3.         establish such task and finish groups, appointing the Chairman  with such membership as it sees fit, to undertake scrutiny on a task and finish basis;

4.         ensure that officers discharge their responsibilities effectively and efficiently in relation to the scrutiny function;

5.         scrutinise decisions of the Cabinet, and offer advice or make recommendations on the matter under scrutiny once the Committee have considered the issues;

6.         refer to the Council or appropriate Committee/Sub-Committee any matter which, following scrutiny, the Committee determines should be brought to the attention of the Council or the Committee or Sub-Committee;

7.         if requested, offer any views or advice to the Cabinet in relation to any matter referred to the Committee for consideration;

8.         undertake general policy reviews with a cross-service and multi-organisational approach wherever possible and make recommendations to the Council or the Cabinet to assist in the development of future policies and strategies;

9.         in performing its role, the Committee may consult and involve the local community and other local public, private and voluntary bodies or organisations;

10.       review the Council’s response to its obligations in respect of the overall performance management regime and where appropriate advise the Cabinet and the Council of its findings;

11.       scrutinise decisions after implementation to examine their effect and outcomes;

12.       review and making recommendations in relation to matters which are not the direct responsibility of the Council but which affect the social, economic and environmental well-being of an area, or the Council’s area as a whole, or under any statutory requirement or Council contract, procedure or practice;

13.       develop, maintain and monitor policies and procedures for handling complaints made against the Council and monitor on a regular basis the level and nature of complaints received and ensure that advice is formulated regarding action to be taken to address areas of concern;

14.       monitor the level and nature of Ombudsman complaints and advise the Cabinet, Committees, Sub-Committees and officers  on remedial action as appropriate;

15.             ensure in conjunction with the Standards, and Governance and Constitution Committees that the Council has in place appropriate mechanisms to protect organisational Integrity including the development of appropriate policies and guidance;