Scrutiny

What is Scrutiny?

Scrutiny is an important part of local government decision making. Scrutiny makes sure that local government remains:

  • transparent
  • accountable
  • open

This will result in improved public policies and services.

In a committee system, there is no legal need for separate scrutiny committee(s). This is because cross-party check and challenge is built into every decision-making committee and Full Council.

The Isle of Wight Council has determined that it will not have any separate Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Statutory scrutiny

There are certain statutory scrutiny functions that will continue. These are:

  • Health matters
  • Crime and disorder
  • Flood risk management

These statutory scrutiny functions will be dealt with under:

  • Adult Social Care, Public Health and Housing Needs committee
  • Environment and Community Protection committees

It is important to note that scrutiny makes recommendations rather than decisions.

Statutory Health Scrutiny

Statutory Health Scrutiny is conducted within the Adult Social Care, Public Health, and Housing Needs service committee.

The purpose of statutory health scrutiny is to:

  • Improve the health and wellbeing of residents
  • Provide a critical friend to the NHS
  • Facilitate greater involvement of stakeholders in local health issues
  • Tackle the ‘democratic deficit’ in health and ultimately improve the health of local people

The primary aims of statutory health scrutiny are to identify whether:

  • Health services reflect the views and aspirations of the community
  • All sections of the community have equal access to services
  • All sections of the community have an equal chance of a successful outcome from services
  • Proposals for substantial service changes are reasonable

Crime and Disorder Scrutiny

Statutory Crime and Disorder scrutiny is conducted within the Environment and Community Protection service committee.

The role of the committee in fulfilling its duty is to:

  • Review and scrutinise the work of organisations responsible for community safety
  • Make reports and recommendations to improve how crime and disorder are tackled
  • Ensure transparency and public accountability for local crime strategies

 The responsible authorities are organisations legally required to work together to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour, and together form Community Safety Partnerships. These are:

  • Police
  • Local Councils
  • Fire and Rescue Services
  • Probation Services
  • Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)

The committee has the authority to request information from responsible authorities and require their attendance at meetings. These authorities are legally obliged to cooperate with the committee and respond to its recommendations.

Flood Risk Management Scrutiny

Statutory Flood Risk Management scrutiny is conducted within the Environment and Community Protection service committee. 

The committee has the power to review and scrutinise the actions of Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) in relation to flood risk management. Councils can:

  • Hold RMAs to account for how they manage flood and coastal erosion risks
  • Make recommendations to improve local flood resilience
  • Ensure public involvement and oversight in flood risk planning

RMAs are organisations with legal responsibilities under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. They are required to work collaboratively, share relevant information, and align their activities with the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy, while also supporting sustainable development in relation to flood risk.

Each RMA has distinct roles:

  • the Environment Agency provides strategic oversight, issues flood warnings, allocates funding, and manages major infrastructure
  • Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) develop local flood risk strategies, conduct investigations, and maintain asset registers
  • Internal Drainage Boards manage water levels in low-lying areas
  • Water Companies are responsible for sewer-related flood risks
  • Highways Authorities oversee road drainage and address flood risks from highways

The role of the committee is to ensure that flood risk is managed in a way that is effective, well-coordinated across the different agencies, responsive to the specific needs of local communities, and transparent to the public.

Contact details and more information

If you would like to suggest an item for enquiry, comment on ongoing or previous enquiries please contact us by email at scrutiny@iow.gov.uk

Details of times and venues for meetings, agendas and minutes

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