Leeds Call-In and Scrutiny of Executive Decisions
Introduction
Leeds, England operates a formal call-in and scrutiny process that lets councillors and scrutiny bodies ask for review of executive decisions before they are implemented. This guide explains how the process is recorded in the council constitution and overview-and-scrutiny pages, who is responsible, how to raise a call-in, and typical outcomes. Where the official Leeds pages do not publish a specific figure or deadline we state that the detail is "not specified on the cited page" and point you to the relevant official sources so you can confirm current practice. Leeds constitution[1] Overview and Scrutiny committees[2]
What is a call-in?
A call-in is a request to delay implementation of an executive decision so that an overview and scrutiny committee can examine it and, if appropriate, make recommendations for change. The power and procedure are set out in the council's governance documents and scrutiny rules; some operational details are given on the council pages cited above.
How the process works
- Timeframe to request a call-in: not specified on the cited page.
- Who may call in: overview and scrutiny bodies or qualifying councillors as provided in the constitution; exact qualifying number is not specified on the cited page.
- Immediate effect: a successful call-in normally suspends implementation pending scrutiny and any required reconsideration.
Penalties & Enforcement
Call-in procedures are procedural and do not themselves create criminal or fixed-penalty fines; enforcement focuses on compliance with governance rules. Financial penalties specific to call-in are not set out on the cited Leeds pages.
- Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation (first/repeat/continuing breaches): not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: referral back to decision-maker, formal scrutiny reports, recommendations to full council, and suspension of implementation until reconsideration.
- Enforcer / contact: Monitoring Officer and Overview and Scrutiny committees are the responsible offices; see Help and Support / Resources for official contact pages.
- Appeal and review routes: internal review via the Monitoring Officer and, where applicable, standards or judicial review; specific time limits for appeal or judicial action are not specified on the cited page.
- Defences and discretion: decision-makers may provide explanations, evidence of consultation or statutory duties; the constitution allows discretion where a "reasonable excuse" or statutory obligation applies (check the constitution page for wording).
Applications & Forms
The council's online governance pages describe the call-in mechanism but do not publish a single standard public form for a call-in request on the cited pages; submission methods are normally via committee services or the Monitoring Officer contact point (see resources). If a signed requisition or form is required, that detail is not specified on the cited page.
Common violations and typical outcomes
- Failure to follow the published decision-making process — outcome: referral to reconsider or report.
- Insufficient consultation or omitted statutory assessment — outcome: scrutiny recommendation to delay or amend.
- Implementation despite active call-in — outcome: Monitoring Officer intervention and remedial report.
Action steps
- Identify the published decision and minutes, and note the publication date.
- Contact committee services or the Monitoring Officer immediately to confirm whether a call-in is possible.
- If required, submit the signed requisition or written request to committee services as advised.
- Attend the scrutiny meeting if invited and provide evidence supporting the call-in.
FAQ
- Who can call in an executive decision?
- Overview and Scrutiny committees and qualifying councillors can initiate call-ins as provided in the council constitution; the cited pages do not specify the exact qualifying number of councillors.
- What is the deadline to call in a decision?
- The specific deadline (for example, number of working days) is not specified on the cited page; consult committee services or the constitution for the current timeframe.
- What happens after a decision is called in?
- The decision is typically suspended pending scrutiny, the committee examines the decision and may recommend reconsideration or referral back to the decision-maker.
- Can members of the public request a call-in?
- Members of the public normally raise concerns via their local councillor or by contacting committee services; direct public call-in mechanisms are not specified on the cited pages.
How-To
- Locate the executive decision notice and publication details on the council website or committee papers.
- Contact committee services or the Monitoring Officer to confirm whether the decision is within call-in scope and to learn the procedural deadline.
- If required, prepare and submit any signed requisition or written request as advised by committee services.
- Provide supporting evidence to the scrutiny committee and attend the hearing if requested.
- Follow the committee's recommendations and, if dissatisfied with the outcome, ask the Monitoring Officer about review or legal options.
Key Takeaways
- Call-in suspends implementation so scrutiny can examine the decision.
- Contact committee services or the Monitoring Officer promptly to preserve rights.
- Check the constitution and scrutiny pages for authoritative procedure details and any published forms.
Help and Support / Resources
- Leeds City Council contact pages
- Council constitution and governance
- Leeds democratic services and committee pages