During the
ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic a dedicated Scrutiny Committee has
been set up, named the Trafford Pandemic Scrutiny Committee
(TPSC), to ensure
democratic accountability and good governance around Council
decision making is maintained during this period.
The TPSC will
stand in place of Trafford Council’s normal scrutiny function
until 30th September 2020 and the arrangement will be
subject to review after 3 months. There will be one meeting each
month. All meetings will take place in working hours, virtually,
with a meeting scheduled to take place 7 working days after any
meeting of the Executive principally to provide both pre and post
decision scrutiny in relation to decisions. The other scheduled
meetings will focus principally on topics proposed in agenda
setting meetings to be held as set out below.
Scope and
function
The Committee
will be appointed to discharge the functions conferred by Section
21 of the Local Government Act 2000. The principal functions of the
Committee will be to act as a critical friend to the Executive
through the scrutiny of decisions taken during the period that the
Council is obliged to operate under restricted measures and to add
value through the pre-decision scrutiny of key
decisions.
Within its scope and function the Scrutiny Committee
will:
A.
Review
and/or scrutinise policies; proposals; and decisions made or to be
taken in connection with the discharge of any of the
Council’s functions.
B.
Make reports
and/or recommendations to the Executive and/or Council where
appropriate in connection with the discharge of any of the
Council’s functions.
C.
Add value to
the Council through pre-decision scrutiny of key decisions through
using the 28-day notice.
D.
Consider any
urgent matter in relation to Covid-19 affecting the area or its
inhabitants.
E.
Provide for
appropriate scrutiny of issues of concern arising during the course
of the ongoing pandemic
F.
Promote
collaborative working with the Executive.
G.
Consider
items that would normally have been considered by the substantive
Committees where there is a legal requirement that such matters are
reviewed/considered during the period of
this emergency.