Scrutiny Member role profile

This role profile in addition to the Ward Councillor profile.

Overview and Scrutiny Toolkit

The Overview and Scrutiny Toolkit has more details about the demands and requirements for Scrutiny Members.

Coordinating and managing all scrutiny activities within the council.
Efficiently and effectively chairing of Oversight and Sub-Committee meetings. Ensuring all councillors, and any invited guests, have appropriate and balanced involvement and are fully engaged in the work of the Committee. Whilst promoting decorum and maintaining discipline.
Ensuring the effective management and running of the committee in order to scrutinise the decisions made or other action taken in connection with the discharge of any of the council's executive functions. The budget, policy framework and the scrutiny of external organisations and agencies which are within the scope of the committee.
Ownership of the full programme of work for the committee/subject area including Committees, Task Groups and other events.
Ensuring good quality reports are prepared and presented to the Executive/Council on the work of the Committee/Subject Area.
To extend invitations in good time to relevant stakeholders, including the Mayor, Cabinet Members, officers, and partners, for committee meetings.
Ensuring that the Cabinet and Councilliors are briefed at the appropriate time of significant issues.

To develop a clear understanding of the terms of reference of the Scrutiny Committee, the scope and range of the services for which the committee is responsible.
To assist the development of policy by in-depth analysis of policy issues.
To review, challenge and question the formulation and implementation of agreed policy and service delivery. To make recommendations to the Cabinet and Council to improve policy, performance and service delivery.
To monitor the council's decision-making process and scrutinise Cabinet activities.
To support the submission of regular reports to relevant committees including cabinet and Full Council on the activities of the committee.
To ensure the work of the Committee contributes to the delivery of best value and continuous improvement in services and implementation of best practice.
To agree all agendas for Committee meetings and take a lead in developing a forward work programme and ensuring it is adhered to.
To support development of the scrutiny work programme, ensuring alignment with council priorities.
To attend relevant training and to be aware of changes to legislation relevant to scrutiny functions.
To safeguard the independence of the scrutiny committee. Avoiding a de facto opposition role becoming a ‘critical friend’ of the Executive.
To seek and consider officer advice when appropriate.

Chairing skills
Leadership and directional skills to guide the committee effectively
Coordination and management skills for scrutiny activities
Lead discussions and set clear objectives for the committee
Promoting decorum and maintaining discipline in meetings
Ability to engage effectively with stakeholders and other guests of the Committee effectively drawing them into the discussion
Managing the scope of scrutiny effectively within terms of reference Capacity to engage and develop committee members, fostering a knowledgeable and skilled team
Resource optimisation skills for overseeing a Member-led work programme

Good understanding of scrutiny activities and their co-ordination including scrutiny review, challenges sessions and call-ins
Good knowledge of effective management of scrutiny work programmes
Knowledge of Cabinet activities and their scrutiny including the use of Pre-Decision Scrutiny

Effective monitoring of the council’s decision-making processes
Strong scrutiny skills to assess and analyse Cabinet activities.
Presentation skills to own and deliver scrutiny committee reports.
Strategic thinking and ability to align scrutiny activities with council priorities.

Scrutinising performance and budgets.
Conducting independent external research, weighing up evidence and making recommendations
Managing difficult conversations and complex relationships