Introduction
3.12.1 The roles of scrutiny committees are set out in Article 8 of the Constitution.
3.12.2 The Council will appoint the scrutiny committees set out in the left hand column of the table below to discharge the scrutiny functions on behalf of the Council (as conferred by Section 21 of the Local Government Act 2000, Sections 7-10 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 and Section 19 Police and Justice Act 2006) as set out in the right hand column of the same table.
| Scrutiny committee |
Terms of reference |
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Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee
13 County Councillors (to include the chairs of the 5 other Scrutiny Committees)
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- Carry out the scrutiny functions of the County Council delivering the roles set out in Article 8 of the Constitution by providing a corporate overview of performance, the budget, risk management and service improvement.
- Strategic overview of Council services including cross-cutting scrutiny in consultation with the other Scrutiny Committees
- Carry out the scrutiny functions of the County Council delivering the roles set out in Article 8 of the Constitution by scrutinising those County Council functions not covered by other Scrutiny Committees. These include support services included within Corporate Resources Directorate.
- To coordinate the work of the Scrutiny Committees as necessary including determining which committee should look at a particular issue if there is a dispute.
- To oversee the rules relating to the operation of task groups as indicated in procedure rule 3.11.4.
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Children and Families Scrutiny Committee
9 County Councillors
3 parent governor representatives
1 Church of England Diocese representative
1 Roman Catholic Diocese representative
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- Carry out the scrutiny functions of the County Council delivering the roles set out in Article 8 of the Constitution in the context of all matters relating to:
- children’s safeguarding
- looked after children and care leavers
- early help
- early years including children’s centres
- special educational needs and disability
- adoption and fostering
- children with disabilities
- school improvement, access and place planning
- school funding
- unaccompanied refugee and asylum-seeking children
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Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee
9 County Councillors
6 Co-opted District Councillors
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- Carry out the scrutiny functions of the County Council delivering the roles set out in Article 8 of the Constitution focussing on health issues from the public’s perspective including the use of task groups to carry out its scrutiny functions. To act as a lever to improve the health and those services that impact on the health of local people, working in partnership with other agencies. To address issues of health inequalities between different groups in the community. To determine those matters referred to in Article 12.02.2 of the Constitution (joint committees concerning health service changes).
- Under the Local Authority (Public Health, Health and Wellbeing Boards and Health Scrutiny) Regulations 2013, to exercise the Council’s role
In reviewing and scrutinising matters relating to the planning, provision and operation of health services in the area.
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Adult Social Care and Communities Scrutiny Committee
9 County Councillors
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- Carry out the scrutiny functions of the County Council delivering the roles set out in Article 8 of the Constitution in the context of all matters relating to:
- Adult Social Care Transformation
- Services for vulnerable people including adult safeguarding
- Public health
- Community development (recognising that other committees cover aspects of this area)
- Residential and nursing care
- Libraries and registration service
- Refugees and Asylum Seekers
2. Scrutinise the actions and decisions of the responsible authorities under Section 5 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 in relation to their crime and disorder functions.
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Environment Scrutiny Committee
9 County Councillors
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- Carry out the scrutiny functions of the County Council delivering the roles set out in Article 8 of the Constitution in the context of matters relating to
- Climate change mitigation – including Electric Vehicle strategy, carbon reduction strategy, and green energy
- Climate change adaptation
- Highways – including Traffic Regulation Orders and Public Rights of Way
- Flooding – including alleviation and resilience
- Minerals and waste – including disposal, reduction, and recycling
- Major infrastructure – including the Local Transport Plan
- Air quality
- Public and community transport
- Parking
- Road safety
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| Gloucestershire Economic Strategy Scrutiny Committee |
- To review the decisions, plans, and policies of the Gloucestershire City Region Board;
- To scrutinise the impact and delivery outcomes of successful Strategic Economic Development Fund (SEDF) bids;
- To identify future areas of economic growth for inclusion in the Gloucestershire Economic Strategy*;
- To provide a scrutiny function for any potential devolution deal in so far as it relates to the Gloucestershire City Region Board or the Gloucestershire Economic Strategy*.
The Gloucestershire Economic Strategy Scrutiny Committee may not exercise any function other than those outlined above.
*Note: The Gloucestershire’s Economic Strategy (2024-2034) outlines the county’s existing strengths, opportunities and challenges and provides a clear statement of intent for Gloucestershire – to achieve greener and inclusive economic growth that delivers a stronger, more sustainable, economy; and sets us on the journey to achieving a new Gloucestershire 2050 Vision
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Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Committee
7 County Councillors
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To carry out the scrutiny functions of the County Council as set out in Article 8 of the Constitution in the context of matters relating to Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, including:
- Response to fire and other emergencies;
- Fire regulation, prevention and promoting fire safety;
- Performance against Key and Local Performance Indicators;
- Progress against recommendations from inspections and delivery of the Improvement Plan;
- Co-operation and partnership working with other local responders to enhance coordination and efficiency and increase community resilience;
- Cross-boundary co-operation with other Fire and Rescue Authorities;
- Civil contingency planning;
- Leadership, culture and workforce development across the service;
- Trading standards; and
- Coroners.
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Meetings and proceedings of the Scrutiny Committees
3.12.3 Meetings of the Scrutiny Committees shall take place in accordance with Scrutiny Procedure Rules 9 and 10.
3.12.4 Scrutiny Task Groups
- This 3.11.4 shall apply to all Scrutiny Task Groups.
- All Scrutiny Task Groups will undertake work in relation to key targets for service areas, the Council’s key priorities and issues of public interest or concern.
- Where the commissioning of a Scrutiny Task Group is urgently required, the lead members of the relevant Scrutiny Committee may agree to do so in advance of the next committee meeting.
- Before each Scrutiny Task Group begins its work, the terms of reference will be agreed by the relevant Scrutiny Committee or its lead members.
- The final report of each Scrutiny Task Group will be presented to the relevant Scrutiny Committee, which may as a result, make recommendations to any Council body or any other public body or third party or, exceptionally, the full County Council.
- Unless there are exceptional circumstances, there will be no more than six Scrutiny Task Groups in existence at any one time, in general limited to two Scrutiny Task Groups per Committee.
- Each Scrutiny Task Group may adopt whatever means of operation it deems most effective, bearing in mind the resources available to it.
3.12.5 Proceedings of the Scrutiny Committees
Scrutiny committees will conduct their proceedings in accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules set out in Part 4 of the Constitution.
