How you can get involved

Public involvement has been an important part of the scrutiny function so far, and we hope that this continues. The public have helped by offering their opinions on the topics being considered, and suggesting future topics for us to look in to. Members of the public can get involved by either suggesting topics to be considered for a Scrutiny Review, or share their opinions on a subject currently under consideration.

Suggesting topics for Review

You can supply your comments on current reviews, or by suggesting topics that could be considered for future reviews in the following ways:

By contacting the scrutiny team either by phone (01227 862332), by email (scrutiny@canterbury.gov.uk), or by writing to us at: Scrutiny, Canterbury City Council, Military Road, Canterbury, CT1 1YW.
Completing the form at the back of the Scrutiny Guide and returning it to the address above.
By contacting your local councillor.
Or you can submit your comments on our contact form

Attending O&S Committee Meetings

Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend and take part in meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny committee.

What is a committee meeting?

A committee is a formal working group within a larger organisation, often set up to look at a specific topic or to make decisions in particular policy areas. Committees are also designed to relieve some of the pressure on the full council’s time by bestowing decision-making powers to smaller working groups. For example, the Development Control Committee is set up to make decisions on planning applications that have been referred to it.

Speaking at O&S Committee

Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend and take part in meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny committee. If they wish to do so they must heed the following:

Any member of the public may at meetings of this comittee present petitions and/or speak for no more than three minutes upon any item which appears on the agenda for that meeting prior to the committee's decision of that item provided that notice has been given to the Overview and Scrutiny Committe administrator, Lyn Daid (01227 862006), or by clicking on her name to email her. Notice must be given before midday on the day of the meeting.
If a member of the public wishes to speak about an item, which is to be dealt with after the public have been excluded, he or she may only speak prior to the passing of the resolution to exclude the press and public.
The committee may refuse to allow a member of the public to speak or continue to speak if it appears that the speech is defamatory, mere vulgar abuse, inflammatory or for other good reason.

Related Links: What we do | How we do it | Structure