Scrutiny at the council

The cabinet makes most of our decisions within the policy and budget framework set by the council. Through the overview and scrutiny committee and its panels, councillors aim to ensure these decisions are the best ones.

Overview and scrutiny committee

By law we are required to have an overview and scrutiny committee, it plays a vital role in the decision-making and policy development processes at Epping Forest District Council. It provides a resource for the council to research and develop new policy, review existing practices and in holding the executive to account with the power of call-in if they consider a review of a decision made by the executive is necessary.

Meetings are held just before the cabinet meeting.

About the overview and scrutiny committee

• Agendas and minutes
• Terms of reference
• Membership

How we work

In our scrutiny role we have formed a number of panels. These are split between standing panels (work that has to be undertaken each year) and task and finish panels (single one-off reviews).

Recent work

We have published the following task and finish panel reports.

Annual report

Every year we publish a report of activities. This is our most recent report.