Overview and Scrutiny

Policy & Pre-decision Committee

The role of the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee is to review and scrutinise policies, plans and strategies prior to decision by Cabinet.

The Committee will undertake pre-decision scrutiny or order to contribute to the quality and robustness of Cabinet decision-making. A further function of the Committee is to ensure that Cabinet decision making is compliant with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and takes account of the ‘sustainable development' principle and 5 ways of working (long term, preventative, involving, collaborative and integrated) as well as other statutory requirements as appropriate (e.g. Equality Act 2010). It will also ensure non-executive Member involvement in the Council’s budget policy and planning framework through a standing Finance Panel.

The remit and scope of the Committee is as follows:

• Cabinet forward work programme
• Proposals for service changes, transformation and / or efficiencies
• Integrated Impact Assessments
• Strategies and plans, as appropriate
• Development of and planning for annual budget and Council Tax proposals through the Finance Panel

The Committee has 13 members and will meet at least five times per year. Details of Committee members and future meetings, along with the Committee Work Programme can be found via the links below. 

Policy & Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme 

Policy and Pre decision overview and scrutiny committee 

14 October 2022

One-off Committee Items

• Item: Dementia Strategy
• Purpose: To consider the Dementia Strategy of the West Wales Regional Partnership Board

• Item: Record Management Policy
• Purpose: To consider and endorse the updated Records Management Policy prior to it being presented to Cabinet for approval.

• Item: Rights of Way Improvement Plan
• Purpose: To scrutinise the Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Pembrokeshire 2018 – 2028

• Item: Finance Panel
• Purpose: To provide ongoing member involvement in the development of budget proposals.

Standing / Re-occurring Items

• Item: Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report
• Purpose: Due to council in October

22 November 2022

One-off Committee Items

• Item: Choice Homes Allocations Policy review
• Purpose: To review the Choice Homes Allocations Policy

• Item: Procurement Strategy
• Purpose: To consider and scrutinise the development of a new procurement strategy.

• Item: Work streams Feeding into the Transport Strategy
• Purpose: To receive an update on work streams feeding into the development of a Transport Strategy

• Item: Poverty Strategy
• Purpose: To consider the progress on the development of a Poverty Strategy

Standing / Re-occurring Items

N/A

25 January 2023

One-off Committee Items

• Item: County Council Budget and Summary Medium Term Financial Plan
• Purpose: To scrutinise proposals for the Council’s budget and Council Tax levels

• Item: Pay Policy Statement
• Purpose: To consider and scrutinise the Pay Policy Statement before it comes to full Council.

• Item: Pembrokeshire Housing Strategy (draft) in January 2023
• Purpose: To consider and scrutinise the draft Pembrokeshire Housing Strategy.

Standing / Re-occurring Items

N/A

10 March 2023

One-off Committee Items

N/A

Standing / Re-occurring Items

N/A

Terms of reference

 Purpose

The Policy & Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee will review and scrutinise policies, plans and strategies prior to decision by Cabinet

Role and function

To undertake pre-decision scrutiny of policies, plans and strategies in order to contribute to the quality and robustness of Cabinet decisionmaking. To provide assurance that Cabinet decision-making is compliant with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, having taken account of the ‘sustainable development’ principle and 5 ways of working (longterm, preventative, involving, collaborative and integrated), and other statutory requirements as appropriate (e.g. Equality Act 2010). To ensure non-executive Member involvement in the Council’s budget policy and planning framework through a standing Finance Panel.

Remit and scope

Cabinet forward work programme

• Proposals for services changes, transformation and / or efficiencies 
• Integrated Impact Assessments
• Strategies and plans, as appropriate
• Development of and planning for annual budget and Council Tax proposals through the Finance Panel

Procedure

The Committee will conduct its proceedings in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules set out in Section 7 of the Council’s Constitution

Membership

There will be 13 Members on the Committee

Frequency of meetings

The Policy & Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet at least 5 times per municipal year.