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Calling In a Decision for Review
Calling In a Decision for Review
Most of the decisions taken by Neighbourhood Committees, and all those taken by the Executive, are called Executive decisions. These are subject to a call-in procedure - which is a way of getting them re considered.
Calling In a decision for review
This procedure is one of the checks and balances that have been introduced. A few days after each meeting the decisions are set out in the minutes(the formal record of what happened at the meeting). These are published on the Council's website and are available in paper form at the Guildhall and in the Public Libraries.
Within five working days of the publication of the decision in the Minutes, decisions can be called in by writing to the Council Officer named on the front page of the minutes by the end of the 5 working day deadline setting out the reasons for the call in. For example, if the decision is published on a Tuesday, a call in can be made up to, and including the following Tuesday.
Who can call in a decision?
Decisions can be called in by
- Three or more Councillors,
- The Chair of the Scrutiny Panel,
- The Chair of a Neighbourhood Committee affected by the proposal
- 100 interested people - defined as anyone who lives, works, studies or owns a property or business in the Borough.
A decision can only be called in once.
When a decision is called in like this it is generally referred to the Scrutiny Panel for consideration, or if it has a particular local impact, to the relevant Neighbourhood Committee. The reviewing body can question the appropriate Executive Member or Neighbourhood Chair about the decision, ask for a further report, and/or seek views from other interested person
Does the call in process change the decision?
Other Neighbourhoods - where there is an impact on them - the Scrutiny Panel and indeed the Council, can review decisions made by Neighbourhood Committees and the Executive. However only the Executive or the Neighbourhood can change its original decision. If it is not prepared to revise or amend the decision it will be implemented. The only exceptions are where the decision is contrary to the policy framework, or budget. In these exceptional circumstances the Council can decide the issue.