The Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) has responsibility for pre-decision scrutiny, having the option of considering items on the Forward Plan in advance of Cabinet, and to question relevant Cabinet Members and officers on forthcoming developments. Meetings are scheduled in advance of Cabinet meetings so that any comments can be forwarded for Cabinet consideration, as part of its decision making process. This body receives regular updates on the work of the Council's Policy Development Committees.
Scrutiny in Redbridge
About Overview and Scrutiny
Overview and Scrutiny (or Scrutiny) is a statutory function - a power by which decision-makers can be held to account on behalf of the public.
Main roles
- holding the Cabinet to account
- policy development and review
- external scrutiny including issues affecting the wider community such as health and crime
- performance review and monitoring to ensure continuous improvement
Scrutiny provides independent examination of policies and decisions about local services, whether provided by Redbridge Council or external organisations, and opportunities to champion issues of local concern.
Scrutiny checks what is happening against what should be happening and plays a similar role to that of Select Committees in Parliament.
Strengths of scrutiny
- enables Councillor (or Member) participation at all stages of the Council’s decision-making structure, encourages cross-party discussions of an issue
- it focuses on evidence-based recommendations
- it provides a voice for local people on local issues.
Scrutiny Committees and Sub-committees
The following Scrutiny bodies are operational in Redbridge. These comprise Councillors and Co-opted Members, where appropriate. For further details and to access agenda papers, click the arrows shown below:
Education Scrutiny Sub-committee
This Sub-committee has a key role in scrutinising the appropriateness and effectiveness of the strategies and policies relating to education matters, to review performance and to scrutinise the Council’s management of its financial resources.
View Education Scrutiny Sub-committee agenda papers
External Scrutiny Committee
This Committee has a role in scrutinising the appropriateness and performance of services, strategies and policies relating to external partners, including but not limited to the Police, the Probation Service, Fire and Rescue Authority, environmental providers and transport providers.
Health Scrutiny Sub-committee
The Health Scrutiny Sub-committee has a key role in scrutinising the planning, delivery and performance of local health services and in discharging the Council's functions relating to section 244 of the National Health Service Act 2006 and the local authority (Public Health, Health and Wellbeing Boards and Health Scrutiny) regulations 2013
Outer North East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee
The Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee is a participant of the ONEL JHOSC, which was established in 2006 by the London Borough Councils of Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest to scrutinise any matters relating to the planning, provision and operation of health services that affect 2 or more boroughs in outer north east London. It is scheduled to meet quarterly.
Wherever possible, scrutiny of a matter will take place within one scrutiny body in order to prevent duplication.
View Outer North East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee agenda papers
Whipps Cross Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee
The Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) is made up of representatives from the London Borough of Waltham Forest, Redbridge and Essex County Council.
The Committee’s remit is to scrutinise the plans for redeveloping Whipps Cross Hospital with the other authorities impacted by the proposed redevelopment.
View Whipps Cross Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee agenda papers
Inner North East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee
The Inner North East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (INEL JHOSC) was established to discuss health matters across the inner north east London, and includes one observer Member position from Redbridge Council.
Get involved in Scrutiny
It is very important that scrutiny reflects local needs and some ways in which you could get involved in this work are as follows:
- View broadcasts of Overview and Scrutiny meetings
- View agenda papers of Policy Development Committees and attend /request to speak at meetings (PDCs report regularly to the OSC)
- Make topic suggestions by viewing and completing an online topic suggestion form
Contact details: Email scrutiny@redbridge.gov.uk or telephone 020 8708 2739.
Scrutiny Annual Report
Scrutiny Annual reports are submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, prior to consideration by full Council.
Read the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2023/24 (PDF 4.43Mb)
