Scrutiny

The Local Government Act 2000 created separate Cabinet and Scrutiny functions within councils.

Scrutiny enables councillors who do not hold cabinet positions within the council to play a full part in the work of the council.

Members of the Scrutiny committees review policies and question key decisions made by the council’s Cabinet to ensure they are open, accountable, transparent and in the best interests of the local area and its residents. 

Scrutiny committees also review the council’s achievements against planned targets, issues of local concern and services provided by the council and other public organisations.

It is vital that local people, stakeholders and relevant organisations are involved with these reviews.   

The Centre for Public Scrutiny identifies four principles of effective public scrutiny: 

  • it provides a ‘critical friend’ challenge to executive policy-makers and decision-makers

  • it enables the voice and concerns of the public to be heard

  • it is carried out by ‘independent minded governors’ who lead and own the scrutiny role

  • it drives improvement in public services

Search committee agendas, reports and minutes

View Scrutiny letters

Contact us

We welcome your views on topics looked at by Scrutiny and suggestions for any issues you think we should be looking into. 

Please email [email protected] or contact Newport City Council and ask for the scrutiny team to find out more. 

TRA127438 28/10/2020