It’s important key decisions and services are challenged – and that’s the role of our scrutiny committees.
Over the last 12 months, the Scrutiny Commission and five other cross-party scrutiny committees have looked at over 120 reports, on issues ranging from four-year budget plans, care pressures, road casualties and inclusion in schools to tackling climate change and mental health. Over half of our councillors deal with scrutiny issues.
- Budget – With the pandemic posing many challenges, our Scrutiny Commission took a fine-tooth comb to our four-year plan. Concerns were raised about the rising cost of special educational needs and disability support, as well as the impact of inflation and the costs of funding key infrastructure needed for a growing county.
- Care home quality – Given the impact of the pandemic on care homes, our councillors were keen to look at the effect on care quality and on staff. As a result, they will now receive regular updates on care home ratings and they supported a review of care home fees in the spring.
- Mental health – Our Health Scrutiny Committee has taken an interest in mental health issues, both generally, and in relation to the pandemic. As well as seeking and receiving assurance that high-risk groups were being supported and known suicide locations were being monitored, they reviewed the options available to a patient at a time of crisis. They also heard about support available to members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
On top of budget plans and a wide range of key health issues, scrutiny leads will also focus on new homes plans, learning disability support, home-schooling, river water quality, cancer screening backlogs and special educational needs transport.
The annual scrutiny committee report for 2021/22 can be read here.