The Overview and Scrutiny Committee comprises 15 non-Cabinet councillors who together discharge the functions of overview and scrutiny (as conferred by Sections 21 and 21A of the Local Government Act 2000 and regulations made under Section 32 of the Local Government Act 2000), as a critical friend in relation to the development of policies and strategies to meet local needs and in relation to service delivery and performance management.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is also the Council’s designated crime and disorder committee under Section 19 of the Police and Justice Act 2006.