Referrals
Referrals from Full Council, Policy and other Committees
The Council, Policy and other Committees of the Authority may refer items related to the Authority’s statutory scrutiny functions to the Audit and Governance Committee for consideration. When an item is referred to the Audit and Governance Committee, the referring body must provide the following information when agreeing to refer the item to statutory scrutiny:
- i) the reasons for referring the issue;
- ii) the objectives of statutory scrutiny process;
- iii) any statutory requirements that the referring body is working within/towards; and
- iv) timescales for reporting back to the referring body.
When the Audit and Governance Committee receives the referral it will either:
- i) consider the item itself; or
- ii) create a time limited task and finish group / working group to examine the issue.
The bodies that can refer items to the Audit and Governance Committee and the criteria for such referrals are set out in Appendix A. This also identifies the extent to which the referring body can require an issue to be examined.
Referrals from Healthwatch or a local Healthwatch contractor
Healthwatch, or a local Healthwatch contractor, may refer items relating to the planning, provision or operation of health service (including care services) in the area. In considering such a referral, the Council is required to acknowledge receipt of the referral within 20 working days and keep the referrer informed of any action taken in relation to the matter.