The committees
Overview and scrutiny is an essential part of the council’s democratic arrangements. It enables councillors (who are not in the Cabinet) to monitor services, develop policy ideas and scrutinise decisions and outcomes on behalf of residents.
In Hillingdon, this work is carried out by the council’s Select Committees, supported by a dedicated Audit, Finance and Performance committee which has a distinct dual independent role.
Over the years, the committees have undertaken successful reviews and evidence based investigations into local issues and services. These reviews help improve services and inform Cabinet decision making through recommendations and formal comments.
Audit, Finance and Performance Committee (distinct dual role)
The Audit, Finance and Performance Committee supports the council in 2 clear ways:
- Audit and assurance: Providing independent oversight of governance, risk and internal control arrangements, alongside key audit and assurance activity.
- Finance and performance scrutiny: Acts as the council’s lead forum for overseeing finance and performance. This includes receiving regular updates on finance, performance and risk on behalf of other Select Committees and coordinating consolidated member feedback on the Cabinet’s annual budget proposals ahead of Full Council.
The Select Committees
Further information on the remit of each of the Select Committees can be found below:
- Corporate Resources and Infrastructure Select Committee
- Residents' Services Select Committee
- Children, Families, Health and Care Select Committee
The remits are aligned as far as practicable with Cabinet portfolios and officer directorates to support clarity and accountability in decision making and scrutiny.
Call-in power
The above committees can use the statutory 'call-in' power to request that an executive decision is paused for further consideration before it is implemented. This provides an important check and balance in the council’s decision making process.
Corporate parenting
The council’s corporate parenting responsibilities continue to be supported through a Corporate Parenting Panel, linked to the council’s children’s scrutiny arrangements.
External scrutiny - holding other public agencies to account
Some committees also undertake scrutiny of key partners and external services, including:
- local health bodies and the NHS
- the crime and disorder partnership and policing matters
- (where relevant) public utilities and other external providers operating in the borough.