A central role of a
Policy Overview Committees is to undertake in-depth policy reviews
on specific issues. Reviews provide the opportunity to hear from
members of the public and expert witnesses, including people from a
wide range of external organisations. Reviews usually make
recommendations to the Cabinet on how the Council could improve its
work. They therefore perform an important role in opening up the
policy-making process to a wider audience, including people who
would not normally have the opportunity to participate.
This Committee performs the
overview role outlined above in relation to the following
matters:
·
Social care services for children, young persons and
children with special needs
·
Oversee the Council’s Corporate Parenting
responsibilities
·
Adoption and Fostering
·
Family Services
·
Adult Social Care
·
Older People’s Services
·
Care and support for people with physical
disabilities, mental health problems and learning
difficulties
·
Asylum Seekers
·
Local Authority Public Health services
·
Encouraging a fit and healthy lifestyle
·
Health Control Unit, Heathrow
·
Encouraging home ownership
·
Social and supported housing provision for local
residents
·
Homelessness and housing needs
·
Home energy conservation
·
National Welfare and Benefits changes
The Social Care, Housing &
Public Health Policy Overview Committee may establish a Panel to
support strong oversight of the Council’s corporate parenting
responsibilities. The Committee may appoint 3 Members to this Panel
based on political balance. Membership may include non-Cabinet Members
not on the Committee. The Committee may also appoint
relevant Council officers and other external stakeholders to the
Panel and agree its chairmanship and operation. In agreeing its
operation, the Committee will provide for the Panel not to be able
to establish any other sub-group or body to carry out its
responsibilities.