Scrutiny

What is scrutiny?

  • Scrutiny is a process for councillors and members. They review and make recommendations about decisions. It helps ensure that our decisions are in the best interests of our residents. All while ensuring we provide quality services. The result is a report with the findings and recommendations.

We are required to set up Overview and Scrutiny Committees (OSC). This is a requirement of the Local Government Act (LGA) 2000. Scrutiny can review and make recommendations to:

  • Local council executives.
  • Local health bodies.
  • Crime and disorder partners.
  • Any organisation providing public services.

Scrutiny cannot compel these bodies. It can only persuade them.

Scrutiny Committees

We have a main committee known as the OSC. It is supported by two sub-committees:

  • Performance and Finance Scrutiny Sub-Committee.
  • Health and Social Care Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Performance and Finance Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Health and Social Care Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Scrutiny lead members

There are eight scrutiny lead members. They play a critical role in driving and overseeing success. Scrutiny lead members must operate mostly on their own. 

Their role includes:

  • To become champions in specific service areas. By developing knowledge and expertise.
  • To meet quarterly with the relevant directors.
  • To take part in the Scrutiny Leadership Group. A quarterly meeting which is key to the programme.
  • To hair scrutiny reviews in their areas, and much more. 

The scrutiny lead members are:

Community:

TBC

TBC

Health:

Cllr Chetna Halai

TBC

People:

Cllr Govind Bharadia

TBC

Resources:

Cllr Samir Sumaria

TBC

The scrutiny team handles:

  • Holding local decision-makers to account. (For their decisions).
  • Comment and challenge the performance and delivery of services.
  • Identify and investigate problematic areas of services.
  • Identify options for improving services.
  • Help us and our partners respond to the changes in policy and the changes in Harrow.
  • Listen to local people's views on life in Harrow.

Councillors involved in decisions cannot be in an OSC. They must reflect the political balance of the council.

Scrutiny annual reports

We are required to report annually on our scrutiny activity. You can download the scrutiny annual reports by year below:

Scrutiny annual report 2022-23

Scrutiny annual report 2021-22

Scrutiny annual report 2020/21

Scrutiny annual report 2019/20

Scrutiny annual report 2018/19 

Scrutiny annual report 2017/18

Scrutiny annual report 2016/17

Scrutiny annual report 2015/16

Completed scrutiny reports

View our completed scrutiny reports dating back to 2002:

Completed scrutiny reports

Completed scrutiny reports (May 2006 - May 2010)

  • Accord MP (December 2007)
  • Alexandra Avenue. Response to PCT consultation (July 2006)
  • Arts Culture Harrow (March 2007)
  • Brent Birth Centre. Response to North West London Hospitals. NHS Trust consultation (February 2008)
  • Carers case study (August 2007)
  • Corporate assessment - self-assessment (September 2006)
  • Council Improvement Programme. Challenge panel (June 2008)
  • Cultural services (June 2007)
  • Cultural services - Beacon Centre case study (March 2008)
  • Delivering a strengthened voluntary and community sector. Conference report (July 2008)
  • Delivering a strengthened voluntary and community sector. Interim report (June 2008)
  • Delivering a strengthened voluntary and community sector. Final report (November 2008)
  • Economic development and tourism (November 2006)
  • Education of children looked after (September 2006)
  • Extended schools as community resources (April 2009)
  • Housing Revenue Account (November 2009)
  • Integrated Care Organisation (January 2010)
  • Obesity (November 2007)
  • Residents' information pack (September 2006)
  • Response to Acute Paediatric Services. NHS consultation (February 2010)
  • Response to East Harrow polysystem. NHS consultation (February 2010)
  • Response to the local Healthcare for London consultation. Harrow Primary Care Trust (February 2008)
  • Response to the Healthcare for London consultation. The shape of things to come (May 2009)
  • Right to manage (January 2009)
  • School nursing (December 2006)
  • Scrutiny of the council budget 2007-08 (December 2006)
  • Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (August 2006)
  • Self-assessment of the council's corporate assessment. (September 2006)
  • Standing review of the budget. Interim report (September 2008)
  • Standing review of the budget - phase 2 (January 2010)
  • Sustainability (February 2010)
  • Water management (August 2006)

Completed Scrutiny reports (pre-May 2006)

  • Adult and community learning (January 2006)
  • Budget processes (December 2004)
  • Budget processes (April 2005)
  • Budget processes (February 2005)
  • Community schools pilot (July 2004)
  • Consultation for highway and transportation schemes. (October 2003)
  • Delayed transfers of care (March 2004)
  • Delegated funding for Special Educational Needs. (January 2005)
  • Distribution of SEN statements in mainstream schools. (April 2003)
  • E-government (March 2003)
  • Healthy lifestyles in schools (April 2003)
  • Hearsay (community engagement) (January 2006)
  • Homecare (December 2004)
  • Housing benefits (January 2004)
  • New Harrow Project (Phase 1) (July 2003)
  • New Harrow Project (Phase 2) (July 2004)
  • Post Office Reconfiguration (July 2004)
  • Post Office Reconfiguration (October 2004)
  • Public green spaces (March 2006)
  • Public realm maintenance (July 2004)
  • Recruitment and Retention of School Governors. (January 2004)
  • Reducing the fear of crime (March 2006)
  • Review of the council's middle management review. (March 2006)
  • Process for Children with Special Educational Needs. (June 2004)
  • Support to carers (April 2003)
  • Tourism (March 2006)
  • Waste management (March 2005)

If you need a copy of a report that is not available, email: corporate.policy@harrow.gov.uk.

You can view the scrutiny work programme for 2022-2026 on Modern Gov. (See item 52).

Corporate policy team