Overview and Scrutiny

Overview and scrutiny committees investigate issues affecting Kent County Council and Kent residents and make recommendations to support the improvement of council services.

Overview and scrutiny can:

• support the development of council policy
• review performance of the county council and other public bodies in Kent
• question decisions made by the Cabinet
• establish select committees to conduct in-depth topic reviews
• conduct research, request information and undertake public consultation

Committee structures

There are three main strands to overview and scrutiny in Kent:

• Cabinet Scrutiny
• Policy Overview
• NHS Overview and Scrutiny

Cabinet Scrutiny

Cabinet Scrutiny questions or scrutinises Cabinet about decisions that have already been taken. It has the power to refer decisions back to Cabinet for reconsideration or onto full council.

Policy Overview

Policy Overview influences and develops county council policies and services. Select Committee topic reviews are carried out through the five policy overview committees:

• Adult Services Policy Overview Committee
• Children, Family and Education Policy Overview Committee
• Communities Policy Overview Committee
• Corporate Policy Overview Committee
• Environment and Regeneration Policy Overview Committee

NHS Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The NHS Overview and Scrutiny Committee is responsible for scrutinising local NHS bodies and supporting local health improvement.