Leeds Council Call-In and Scrutiny Procedure

Labor and Employment England 4 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of England

This guide explains how call-in and overview and scrutiny work for council decisions in Leeds, England. It summarises the legal basis, who can trigger a call-in, the practical steps to request review, and where responsibility sits within Leeds City Council. Use this page to prepare a timely challenge to an executive decision, understand likely outcomes, and follow official contact and submission routes. Official procedure rules and committee pages set the technical requirements for call-in and for referring matters to scrutiny committees; read the council constitution and overview pages linked below before acting.

How call-in works

Call-in is a procedure that allows Overview and Scrutiny committees to review recent executive decisions before they are implemented. Typically a councillor or group of councillors may request call-in on grounds such as alleged procedural irregularity, concern about evidence used, or public interest. The process and grounds are set out in the council constitution and overview and scrutiny guidance; always check the official procedure rules for current timing and standing requirements by consulting the council constitution page Leeds City Council Constitution[1] and the overview and scrutiny pages Overview and Scrutiny[2].

Call in early: procedural time limits are strict and usually short.

Who can call in a decision

  • Local elected councillors (often a specified number or group) or the relevant scrutiny chair can request call-in under the constitution.
  • Members of the public cannot directly call in decisions but can raise concerns with councillors or scrutiny officers.
  • Senior officers (Monitoring Officer or Chief Executive) may be required to refer a decision for review where legality or maladministration is suspected.

Procedure and meetings

When a valid call-in request is received the item is normally placed on the agenda for the appropriate overview and scrutiny committee. Committees may confirm, recommend amendment, or refer the matter back to the decision-maker. For specific meeting schedules, agenda publication and how to register a call-in, use the council democracy pages and committee contacts Leeds Democracy and Committee Services[3].

Penalties & Enforcement

Call-in and scrutiny are procedural governance mechanisms rather than sanctioning regimes; the official procedure rules do not prescribe criminal or civil fines for a failed call-in. Where misconduct, illegality or breaches of standing orders are found, consequences arise from other council or statutory processes rather than the call-in itself.

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page for call-in and scrutiny; financial penalties are dealt with under other regulations where applicable.[1]
  • Escalation: the constitution sets out referral routes to full council or the Monitoring Officer for serious matters; specific escalation amounts or staged fines are not specified on the cited procedure pages.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: committees can recommend decision reversal, require reconsideration, or refer legal or ethical breaches to the Monitoring Officer or standards committee.
  • Enforcer and contacts: Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Committee Services manage call-in administration; contact details and committee secretariat are available via Leeds Democracy pages.[3]
  • Appeal and review: decisions on call-in outcomes may be subject to internal review routes or judicial review in courts; time limits for judicial review are not specified on the cited council pages and depend on national rules.
  • Defences/discretion: the constitution allows committees and officers to exercise discretion where there is a "reasonable excuse" or where statutory exemptions apply; specific statutory defences are not fully set out on the procedure page.
Call-in itself does not impose fines; it pauses or reviews implementation of decisions.

Applications & Forms

The council does not publish a single universal paper form for call-in on the overview pages; requests are usually made in writing to Committee Services or via the relevant councillors. For exact submission requirements, forms (if any), and contact email/addresses, consult the constitution and committee services pages linked above; the official pages list current contact routes and meeting deadlines.[1][3]

Action steps

  • Step 1: Check the constitution and overview and scrutiny guidance immediately to confirm who may call in and applicable deadlines.[1]
  • Step 2: Contact Committee Services or your ward councillor to notify intent and request formal call-in instructions; use the democracy contact pages.[3]
  • Step 3: Submit a written request stating grounds for call-in and any supporting evidence within the prescribed timeframe.
  • Step 4: Attend the scrutiny meeting if invited and present concerns; follow any subsequent recommendations or appeal options advised by the committee.
Act promptly: missed deadlines commonly prevent call-in review.

FAQ

Who can request a call-in?
Specified councillors or the scrutiny chair under the council constitution; members of the public should ask their ward councillor to act on their behalf.
How long do I have to call in a decision?
Time limits are set in the council constitution and on committee pages; the precise number of days is not specified on the overview pages and should be checked on the official constitution link.[1]
Does call-in delay implementation?
Yes, a valid call-in normally delays implementation until the scrutiny committee has considered the matter.

How-To

  1. Identify the decision you wish to call in and note the decision date and reference.
  2. Read the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules in the council constitution to confirm eligibility and deadlines.[1]
  3. Contact Committee Services or your ward councillor to notify intent and obtain submission details.[3]
  4. Prepare a written request stating clear reasons and evidence and submit within the stated time limit.
  5. Attend the scrutiny meeting if invited and follow any recommendations or next steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Call-in is a governance tool to review executive decisions before implementation.
  • Act quickly and use Committee Services and ward councillors to lodge a valid request.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Leeds City Council Constitution - Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules
  2. [2] Overview and Scrutiny information - Leeds City Council
  3. [3] Leeds Democracy and Committee Services

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