Scrutiny - Home Page

What is Scrutiny?

Scrutiny is an integral part of the democratic process; it is there to demonstrate transparency and accountability in the way decisions are made.  It is member led and community focused.

It acts as a ‘Watchdog’ on the decision makers and enables them to be challenged in public, on a whole range of issues that affect the community.  Examples of decision makers in Barnsley are the Council’s Cabinet; the NHS Trusts; the Emergency Services and Bus and Rail operators.  Scrutiny is also about looking in detail at issues and services and making recommendations on how policies and services can be improved to benefit the public.

In Barnsley the scrutiny process is undertaken by six Scrutiny Commissions, each covering a broad area:

• Children’s Services
• Environment
• Health and Adult Services
• Housing and Community Safety
• Regeneration
• Cross-Cutting

Each Commission is comprised of 15 elected Councillors and some have “co-opted” members from community organisations. These Commissions have public meetings in the Town Hall on a regular basis to scrutinise the decision makers and look at important issues. Examples of the issues that have been looked at are: local bus services; proposed police force mergers; the provision of doctors and education exam results.

Scrutiny is a process that represents the ‘public interest’, so the Commissions are very interested in hearing the views of the public.

There are a number of ways you can be involved in scrutiny: Let your local Councillor know your views and see if this is an issue for scrutiny; complete the scrutiny form asking for your views; e-mail, telephone or write to the Scrutiny Commission Office – details below.

Scrutiny Office
Town Hall
PO Box 634
Barnsley
S70 9GG

Telephone: 01226 773975

Also, if you would like to subscribe to the Scrutiny newsletter, please e-mail 'subscribe' to scrutiny@barnsley.gov.uk

 Quick Links:

• Meeting Agendas, minutes and documents
• Find your Local Councillor
• Find your nearest Area Forum
• View publication of becoming a witness  
• Guide Book