Rother District Council

Membership: Councillors P.N. Osborne (Chairman), P.G. Lendon (Vice Chairman), Lord Ampthill (ex-officio), R.K. Bird, G.S. Browne, J.J. Carroll, R.C. Carroll, A.E. Davies, S.H. Earl, S.D. Elford, K.M. Field, M. Mooney, C.N. Ramus, S.H. Souster, D.W.L.M. Vereker, Mrs D.C. Williams and J.S. Wood.

Meeting Dates for the current Civic Year
2012 - 18 June, 23 July, 10 September and 19 November
2013 - 18 February and 25 March

Functions and Delegations

Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Membership: 16 Members of the Council

Functions

· Provision and management of cultural, domestic, housing, leisure and recreational activities and facilities.

· Food Hygiene, Health and Safety and Licensing.

· Crime and Disorder.

· Review of the provision of education, health and social services by other authorities and agencies.

· Economic Growth & Employment.

· Regeneration Partnerships.

· Tourism Promotion.

· Protection & enhancement of the Built and Natural Environment.

· Agenda 21 and sustainability issues.

· Planning and Transport.

· Carrying out Best Value Reviews*.

· Emergency Planning.

· E-government.

· Community Help Points/Customers First.

· Local democracy and the achievement of effective, transparent and accountable decision making.

· Consultation arrangements (except budget consultation arrangements).

· Modernisation.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

(a) Policy development and review. The Overview and Scrutiny Committees may:

i) assist the Council and the Executive in the development of its budget and policy framework by in-depth analysis of policy issues;

ii) conduct research, community and other consultation in the analysis of policy issues and possible options;

iii) consider and implement mechanisms to encourage and enhance community participation in the development of policy options;

iv) question Members of the Executive and/or the Chief Executive, Directors or Heads of Service about their views on issues and proposals affecting the area; and

v) liaise with other external organisations operating in the area, whether national, regional or local, to ensure that the interests of local people are enhanced by collaborative working, and challenge the relevance of joint working, and in particular any service level agreements, in the delivery of the Council's four Aims.

(b) Scrutiny. The Overview and Scrutiny Committees may:

i) review and scrutinise the decisions made by and performance of the Executive and/or council officers both in relation to individual decisions and the impact of those decisions over time;

ii) review and scrutinise the performance of the Council in relation to its policy objectives, performance targets and/or particular service areas;

iii) question Members of the Executive and/or the Chief Executive, Directors and Heads of Service about their decisions and performance, whether generally in comparison with service plans and targets, over a period of time, or in relation to particular decisions, initiatives or projects;

iv) make recommendations to the Executive and/or Council arising from the outcome of the scrutiny process;

v) review and scrutinise the performance of other public bodies in the area and invite reports from them by requesting them to address the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and local people about their activities and performance; and

vi) question and gather evidence from any person (with their consent).

(c) Working Parties / Groups

In fulfilling their functions, the Overview and Scrutiny Committees may between them create up to a maximum of four working parties or groups, at any one time, the size, quorum and political make up to be at the discretion of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees, with membership open to non Members of the Council. In creating such working parties or groups, consideration needs to be given to ensure that no "undue burdens" are placed on one specific service area.

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