Scrutiny We have compiled a number of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's), which we hope will address most questions that you may have about scrutiny at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. 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.
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 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. (Back to top of page)
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 MTCBC we have four Scrutiny Committees:-
1) Customer Services Scrutiny Committee
Responsible for Customer Service; ICT; Business Change; Housing and Public Protection; Leisure, Culture and Environment; Special Projects.
2) Chief Executive and Corporate Centre Scrutiny Committee
Responsible for Chief Executive's Office; Corporate Centre – Finance; Performance; Human Resources and Communications. This Committee has been designated with carrying out the role of the Authority's "Crime and Disorder Committee". Here is a copy of the protocol between MTCBC and the Merthyr Tydfil Community Safety Partnership (MTCSP). MTCBC and MTCSP Protocol.pdf
3) Schools, Governance and Technical Services Scrutiny Committee
Responsible for Governance, Inclusion & School Support; School Improvement; Legal and Democratic; Corporate Property and Physical Regeneration; Engineering, Highways and Transport; Town Planning
4) Social Services and Social Regeneration Scrutiny Committee.
Responsible for Childrens Social Services; Adult Social Services; Social Regeneration and Development. (Back to top of page)
Each of the four Scrutiny panels has Councillors and Co-opted members included in its membership.
Customer Services Scrutiny Committee
Cllr Leighton Smart (Chairman)
Cllr Chris Barry (Vice Chair)
Cllr Howard Barrett
Cllr David Jones
Cllr Amy Kitcher
Cllr Dave Phillips
Cllr Paul Smithers
Mr Maldwyn Little (Co-opted Member)
Mr Tony Chaplin (Co-opted Member)
Chief Executive and Corporate Centre Scrutiny Committee
Cllr Brendan Toomey (Chairman)
Cllr Allan Jones (Vice Chair)
Cllr Adam Brown
Cllr Brent Carter
Cllr Kevin O'Connor
Cllr Bill Smith
Cllr Paul Smithers
Mr Simon Coton (Co-opted Member)
Mrs Alison Harris (Co-opted Member)
Schools, Governance and Technical Services Scrutiny Committee
Cllr Paul Brown (Chairman)
Cllr Kevin O'Connor (Vice Chair)
Cllr Chris Barry
Cllr Glenn Price
Cllr Bill Smith
Cllr Clive Tovey
1 Councillor position yet to be confirmed
Mr David Lewis (Co-opted Member)
Mrs Maureen Harris (Co-opted Member)
Mr John Newman (Co-opted Member)
Miss Sarah Williams (Co-opted Member)
Dr Alec Clark (Co-opted Member)
Social Services and Social Regeneration Scrutiny Committee
Cllr Bob Griffin (Chairman)
Cllr Lisa Mytton (Vice Chair)
Cllr Chris Davies
Cllr Les Elliott
Cllr Clive Jones
Cllr Brian Mansbridge
Cllr Glenn Price
Mr John Smith (Co-opted Member)
Mr Ron Vaughan (Co-opted Member) (Back to top of page)
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, Performance 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. (Back to top of page)
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 four Scrutiny Committees meetings . Meeting dates of the four 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 Performance Department. (Back to top of page)
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