POLICY OVERVIEW COMMITTEE
[REPORTING TO
COUNCIL unless otherwise stated in these Terms of
Reference]
TERMS
OF REFERENCE:
DELEGATED FUNCTIONS:
1. The Overview
Function
(1)Without prejudice to the role and
responsibilities of other Committees, Boards etc, to review general
policies of the Council and to recommend accordingly to the Cabinet
on future policy options.
(2)To seek views from other
Committees/Boards in order to obtain a balanced view of the effects
of Council policy and Cabinet decisions.
(3)To hold policy reviews and make
recommendations to the Cabinet and/or the GAC in accordance with
the Committee’s Protocol.
(4)In accordance with the
Committee’s Protocol to assist the Cabinet and/or the GAC in
the development of future policies and strategies.
(5)Where appropriate, and as part of
the community consultation process, to seek input from Councillors
(including Cabinet members), Officers, Dartford Borough Residents’ Forum,
other interested stakeholders and organisations and by drawing on
the knowledge of constituents’ views.
(6)To gather information and make
recommendations in accordance with the Committee’s Protocol
to the Cabinet and/or the GAC before policy is implemented as part
of the framework for accountable, transparent
decision-making.
(7)To carry out reviews of non-Council
matters and as part of the community planning process, consult with
partner organisations where appropriate and make recommendations to
the Cabinet in relation to matters which are not the direct
responsibility of the GAC, but which nevertheless affect the
economic, environmental and social well-being of the
Borough.
(8)To consider and investigate broad
policy issues and make reports and recommendations to the Cabinet
and/or the GAC in accordance with the Committee’s
Protocol.
(9)In accordance with the
Committee’s Protocol to provide advice to the Cabinet and/or
the GAC on major issues before final decisions are made.
(10) To
receive the views and recommendations of area/joint committees or
forums as part of any review which impacts on the
Borough.
(11) To be
consulted/receive referrals by the GAC and/or the Cabinet about
issues falling within the remit of the Committee, example Cabinet
requesting an enquiry into a particular issue.
(12) To
approve an annual overview work programme in accordance with
Standing Order 58(8) including the programme of any subcommittee
appointed by the Committee to ensure that there is efficient use of
the Committee’s (sub-committee’s) time and that
potential for duplication of effort is minimised.
(13) To
review the Cabinet’s forward plans with a view to deciding
which, if any, forthcoming Cabinet decisions the Committee wishes
to review.
(14)To carry out reviews of how
certain decisions have affected a particular community or area by
taking advice from area committees or forums and other community
groups and representatives.
2. Service Delivery
To
consider new approaches to service delivery and recommend to the
Cabinet demanding performance targets for services, so as to
deliver continuous improvements which reflect both national and
local considerations including;
(a)Challenging why and how a service
is being provided;
(b)Securing comparison with the
performance of others across a range of relevant indicators, taking
into account the views of both service users and potential
suppliers;
(c)Consulting local taxpayers, service
users, partners and the wider business community in the setting up
of new performance targets;
(d)Considering fair competition as a
means of securing efficient and effective services
(e)To make recommendation(s) to the
Cabinet on suitable performance information/indicators.
3. Overview of Health
Functions
To
review any matter relating to the planning, provision and operation
of the health service in the Borough of Dartford, in accordance
with the Local Authority (Public Health, Health and Wellbeing
Boards and Health Scrutiny) Regulations 2013.
4.
Discussion/Consultation
Papers
To
respond to discussion/consultation papers relating to matters
connected/associated with the functions of the Committee in
accordance with the consultation procedure.