Please note: the terms below are taken from the
Council Constitution - Part 2, Article 6.
For full Select Committee procedure rules, please see the Council Constitution - Part 4, D52 - D64.
6.01 Terms of ReferenceThe Council will appoint the following Select Committees in relation to the matters indicated:-
- Good Health
The provision, planning and management of good health.
6.02 General RoleWithin their terms of reference, Select Committees will:-
- review and/or scrutinise decisions made or actions taken in connection with the discharge of any of the Council's functions;
- make reports and/or recommendations to the full Council via the Executive or to the Executive or to any Area Committee in connection with the discharge of any functions;
- consider any matter affecting the area or its inhabitants;
- exercise the right to call-in for reconsideration decisions made but not yet implemented by the Executive or Area Committees.
6.03 Specific functions1) Policy development and review Select Committees may:-
- assist the Council and the Executive in the development of its budget and policy framework by in-depth analysis of policy issues;
- conduct research, community and other consultation in the analysis of policy issues and possible options;
- consider and implement mechanisms to encourage and enhance community participation in the development of policy options;
- question lead members, committees and chief officers about their views o n issues and proposals affecting the area; and
- liase 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.
2) Scrutiny Select Committees may:-
- review and scrutinise the decisions made by and performance of the Executive, committees and council officers both in relation to individual decisions and over time;
- review and scrutinise the performance of the Council in relation to its policy objectives, performance targets and/or particular service areas;
- question lead members, committees and chief officers 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;
- make recommendations to the Executive, and/or appropriate committee and/or Council arising from the outcome of the scrutiny process;
- review and scrutinise the performance of other public bodies in the area and invite reports from them by requesting them to address the Select Committee and local people about their activities and performance; and
- question and gather evidence from any person (with their consent).
3) Finance
Select Committees may exercise overall responsibility for the finances made available to them.
4) Annual Report
Select Committees must report annually to full Council on their workings and make recommendations for future work programmes and amended working methods if appropriate.
5) Officers
Select Committees may exercise overall responsibility for the work programme of the officers employed to support their work.
6.04 Proceedings of Select CommitteesSelect Committees will conduct their proceedings in accordance with the Select Committee Procedure Rules set out in Part 4 of this Constitution.
6.05 Conflict of InterestIf a Select Committee is scrutinising specific decisions or proposals in relation to the business of the Area Committee of which the councillor concerned is a member, then the councillor may not speak or vote at the Select Committee meeting unless a dispensation to do so is given by the Standards Committee.
General policy reviews
Where the Select Committee is reviewing policy generally the member must declare his/her interest before the relevant agenda item is reached, but need not withdraw.
6.06 Access to InformationSelect Committees will comply with the Access to Information Procedure Rules in Part 4 of this Constitution.
6.07 Meetings of Select Committee ChairsThe Chairs of Select Committees will meet on a regular basis to discuss the operation and functions of Select Committees and, where an issue does not fall clearly within the terms of reference of one Select Committee, to determine which Select Committee should deal with that item.
