Overview and Scrutiny

Scrutiny is about asking questions which get to the heart of a matter. This means getting to the important part of the situation or problem.

Overview and Scrutiny was introduced by the Local Government Act 2000. Barnet operates a Leader and Cabinet model of governance. The Cabinet is a small group of councillors consisting of a Leader and nine other Councillors (Portfolio Holders) who have responsibility for a specific portfolio area. They take decisions within the budget and policy framework agreed by the Full Council.

The rest of the Councillors all have the chance to be a part of Scrutiny. Their role within Scrutiny is to hold the Cabinet and Portfolio Holders to account, to be the voice of the public, and to help drive improvement of the council's services.

Scrutiny can investigate services provided by the Council and other agencies, and other matters of importance to the people of the borough. Scrutiny has legal powers to monitor and hold to account local health services (Health and Social Care Act 2001) and to scrutinise crime reduction and community safety issues (Police and Justice Act 2006).

Scrutiny in Barnet

Barnet has established one Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC), and two Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees with individual areas of responsibility.  Find out more about each Committee:

• Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Children and Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub Committee
• Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub Committee

Meetings take place throughout the year and members of the public are welcome to attend.

Some Overview and Scrutiny work may take place in more informal Task and Finish Groups which will look at a specific issue and then make recommendations to the Cabinet or another organisation.

There will be opportunities for citizens to get suggest topics for Task and Finish Groups or get involved in their work.

How to get involved in Scrutiny

Good scrutiny ensures that there are opportunities for the public to influence and improve the services they receive.

Input from local people and organisations is a crucial part of the scrutiny review process.

Get involved in the work of Overview and Scrutiny

Contact Us

For more information please contact the Scrutiny team

Email: scrutiny@barnet.gov.uk

Address: Overview and Scrutiny, London Borough of Barnet, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 4EW