Scrutiny We have compiled a number of FAQ's, which we hope will address most questions that you may have about scrutiny at Merthyr Tydfil. However before going on to the FAQ's we would like to address the most commonly asked question and that is "What is meant by Scrutiny?".
In a nutshell Scrutiny is a process giving councillors (and Co-opted Members) the opportunity to examine services provided, to ask questions on how decisions have been made, to consider whether service improvements can be put in place and then to make recommendations to Cabinet or Council to consider.
Of particular interest to scrutiny at Merthyr Tydfil are these 2 links - Fourth Option Councils - "Guidance for fourth option councils" and Scrutiny in Welsh Local Government
If you need to contact us for more information, our contact details are listed below.
Scrutiny Frequently Asked Questions:-
All Councils have scrutiny committees. the Local Government Act 2000 and The Local Authorities (Alternative Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations 2007 (latest amendments 2007 - originally 2001) introduced major changes to the way local government operates and is part of a wider government policy to strengthen local authorities’ ability to deliver effective community leadership, democratic renewal and continuous improvement in services. This is the heart of the Government’s programme for modernising local government. Scrutiny committees are part of this process.
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Scrutiny’s role is to look at the quality of services and other issues that affect the lives of the people of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, whether they live here, work here or visit the area. Scrutiny committees can examine and question the decisions of the Council’s Cabinet, scrutinise the quality of services and check on service performance. A scrutiny committee will normally carry out an investigation and make any recommendations to the Cabinet based on the findings of its investigation or review. (Back to top of page)
At Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council there is a Principal Scrutiny Committee and five “themed” scrutiny committees (a.k.a. scrutiny panels). The five scrutiny panels are aligned with the Councils Directorates. The committees and their areas of responsibility are:
- Principal Scrutiny Committee.
This Committee is the main scrutiny committee and has an overarching and co-ordinating role over the five scrutiny panels.
- Integrated Adult Services Srutiny Committee.
All services for Adults, Families as distinct customer group led by emphasis on learning, training, skills development to include Social Services, Assessment Programs, Skills Development, Lifelong Learning, Social Behaviour, Crime & Disorder and Voluntary Groups.
- Corporate Centre / FARM (Finance, Audit and Risk Management) Scrutiny Committee.
Regeneration, Improvement planning, Business Services, HR & Development, ICT, PR and Marketing, Finance, Audit, Risk Management, Accountancy, Procurement & Payroll.
- Customer Community Services Scrutiny Committee.
Services to varied customer groups delivered principally in the community to include Property Services, Housing Maintenance, Housing Development, Environmental Services, Revenues & Benefits, Libraries, Museums, Leisure, and Sports & Arts.
- Customer Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee.
Corporate Services provided to customers principally from the Councils corporate offices i.e Legal, Estates, Planning, Trading Standards, Engineering, Emergency Planning, Licensing, Public Health, Cemeteries, Registrars and Democratic Services.
- Integrated Childrens Services Scrutiny Committee.
All services to children up to sixteen years of age, as a distinct customer group with distinct needs to include Education, Special Needs, Operational Services, Social Services, Social Behaviour, Development, Crime and Disorder and Voluntary Groups. (Back to top of page)
Each of the five Scrutiny panels has Councillors and Co-opted members included in its membership.
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Principal Scrutiny Committee.
Membership is made up of ten councillors, namely the chairs and vice-chairs of the five scrutiny panels.
Councillor Clive Jones (Chair)
Councillor Brent Carter (Vice Chair)
Councillor Julian Amos
Councillor Malcolm Connolly
Councillor Lisa Mytton
Councillor Brian Mansbridge
Councillor Allan Jones
Councillor Glenn Price
Councillor Paul Smithers
Councillor Ray Thomas
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Integrated Adult Services Scrutiny Committee.
Councillor Brent Carter (Chair)
Councillor Lisa Mytton (Vice Chair)
Councillor Les Elliott
Councillor Clive Jones
Councillor Clive Tovey
Co-opted Members.
Mrs Alison Harris
Mr John Smith
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Corporate Centre/ FARM Scrutiny Committee.
Councillor Julian Amos (Chair)
Councillor Clive Jones (Vice Chair)
Councillor Chris Barry
Councillor Adam Brown
Councillor Amy Kitcher
Co-opted Member.
Mr John Leonard.
Mr Simon Coton.
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Customer Community Services Scrutiny Committee.
Councillor Allan Jones (Chair)
Councillor Paul Smithers (Vice Chair)
Councillor Howard Barrett
Councillor Kurt Morgan
Councillor Dave Phillips
Co-opted Members.
Mr Maldwyn Little.
Mr Tony Chaplin
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Customer Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee.
Councillor Malcolm Connolly (Chair)
Councillor Brian Mansbridge (Vice Chair)
Councillor Adam Brown
Councillor Gareth Lewis
Vacancy
Co-opted Members.
Vacancy
Mr Alan Rees.
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Integrated Childrens Services Scrutiny Committee.
Councillor Ray Thomas (Chair)
Councillor Glenn Price (Vice Chair)
Councillor Chris Davies
Councillor Amy Kitcher
Councillor Lisa Mytton
Co-opted Members.
Dr Alec Clark.
Mrs Maureen Harris.
Mr Dave Lewis.
Mr John Newman.
Mrs Pam Parry.
Mr Ronald Vaughan.
Vacancy.
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Scrutiny Committee meetings are public meetings open to the press and the public. However when exempt or confidential information is being discussed, any press or members of the public will be asked to leave the meeting. (Back to top of page)
For Scrutiny to influence and add value to council services it is important that we listen to and engage with you our customers. Choosing topics for our Scrutiny Committees to examine is not just a role for Councillors and Officers of the Council. We will welcome your suggestions for topics to examine.
The Scrutiny Committees will co-ordinate their work programmes that balance the needs of the people of the County Borough with the strategic aims of the Council. Most importantly, it will concentrate on areas where there is likely to be more benefit to our customers.
If you have a suggestion for the Scrutiny Committees to look at please write in or e-mail information to us to include details on what you want Scrutiny to look at, why you want the matter investigated, and if you have had dealings with the Council or your Councillor in the past on the matter you are suggesting. What Scrutiny won’t normally do is look at individual service complaints.
Send details to the Scrutiny Section, Democratic, Scrutiny, Mayoral & Registrars Department, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Civic Centre, Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8AN or e-mail details to scrutiny@merthyr.gov.uk. We will acknowledge receipt of your suggestion and inform you in due course whether it has been included as part of a Scrutiny Committee’s Work Programme. (Back to top of page)
Where are scrutiny meetings held?
Each committee meets approximately every six weeks at the Civic Centre. However meetings can be held in the community if and when the need arises.
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As mentioned above Scrutiny meetings are held approximately every six weeks. If you follow the following link it will take you to dates of the meetings of the six Scrutiny Committees meetings .
Meeting dates of the six Scrutiny Committees
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Yes, you can access these electronically if you follow this link.
Scrutiny Committee Agenda's and Minutes
Agendas for the meetings are also available to view in the reception area of the Civic Centre and at the main public library in Merthyr Tydfil.
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Scrutiny doesn’t deal with individual concerns or complaints about council services. The individual departments deal with these, or if you are not satisfied with their response you may wish to use the corporate complaints procedure or raise the matter with your local Councillor. (Back to top of page)
For further information on Scrutiny please contact the Scrutiny team in the Democratic, Scrutiny, Mayoral & Registrars Department. (Back to top of page)
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