Non-Executive members and other Overview and Scrutiny panel members have the power to “call-in” decisions for Overview and Scrutiny. This means that the implementation of any decisions made by the Executive or significant (‘key’) decisions made by officers can be delayed to allow the decision to be scrutinised.
An Overview and Scrutiny panel cannot change the decision but they can refer it back, or ask City Council to consider referring it back, to the decision maker for reconsideration. When they refer a decisi on back they may ask the decision maker to consider particular points or alternative courses of action.
Call-in procedure
The call-in procedure is set out in detail in the Newcastle Charter but the key points are outlined below:
- call-in applies to decisions made by the Executive and Key Decisions (Key Decisions are defined in the Charter ) made by officers;
- a call-in request must be made within 5 working days of members being notified that the decision has been made;
- there are 3 ways to make a call-in request: either 7 non-executive members make a request in writing to the Head of Democratic Services;
OR the Chair and Vice-Chair of a Overview and Scrutiny panel together with one other non-executive member can make the request;
OR, in relation only to education matters, a majority of the members of the Overview and Scrutiny panel responsible for such matters may make the request; - once the call-in request has been made, the relevant Overview and Scrutiny panel must meet to consider the issue within 7 working days (although a longer timescale is permitted by agreement between the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Chair and Executive Member);
- the Overview and Scrutiny panel can:
- - allow the decision to proceed;
- - refer the decision back to the decision maker with their comments for reconsideration;
- - refer the matter to City Council so that the Council can decide whether to ask the decision maker to reconsider;
- if the Overview and Scrutiny panel or the City Council decide to ask the decision maker to reconsider, the decision maker must reconsider the decision, taking account of any points or alternatives the Council or panel have asked them to consider;
- the decision maker must report the outcome of the reconsideration back to the Overview and Scrutiny panel;
- once a matter has been called in once it may not be called in again
Further information can be found using the links below:
If members wish to make a call-in request, a form and further guidance are also available from the Head of Democratic Services.