Who can use call-in in Glasgow?

Eligible councillors or designated scrutiny chairs under the council constitution may submit a call-in notice for executive decisions.

Does call-in stop a decision from taking effect?

Call-in typically pauses implementation while the scrutiny process proceeds, but urgent decision rules in the constitution can allow immediate implementation in specified circumstances.

Are there fees to file a call-in?

No standard fee is published for filing a call-in notice; check Governance Services for confirmation.

Can a call-in be challenged in court?

Yes; judicial review remains available for legal challenges to a decision after internal remedies are exhausted or where appropriate.

Challenging Executive Decisions by Call-In in Glasgow

Civil Rights and Equity Scotland 4 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026

This guide explains how councillors and members of scrutiny committees can challenge executive decisions via the call-in process in Glasgow, Scotland. It summarises the council procedure, who may call in a decision, typical timeframes for raising a call-in, and the practical steps to request review or appeal. The guidance is intended for councillors, community groups, and members of the public who want to understand procedural rights when an executive decision affects local bylaws, planning, licensing or service delivery. Where statutory or council documents are required, this article refers to the relevant Glasgow City Council governance instruments; specific numeric penalties or fees are noted as not specified on the cited page if the council text does not set them out.

Overview of Call-In

Call-in is a governance mechanism that allows decisions made by the executive or a committee to be reviewed by an overview or scrutiny body before they are implemented. In Glasgow this is governed by the council constitution and committee rules which set eligibility, notice periods and referral routes. The process is administrative and does not replace judicial review of legality, but it offers a faster internal check on proportionality, consultation and adherence to policy.

Call-in pauses implementation while scrutiny considers the matter.

Who Can Call In and When

Eligibility and timeframe for call-in are set by Glasgow City Council procedures; if a specific period or signatory threshold is required the council constitution or committee procedure sets that requirement. Commonly, a fixed number of councillors or a scrutiny chair can trigger call-in within a short window after publication of the decision, but the exact numbers and days are not specified on the cited page and are current as of February 2026.

Who may call in: councillors or designated scrutiny members under council rules.
Time to call in: a statutory or constitutional deadline applies; check committee papers for the published period.
What to submit: written notice citing reasons for review and the decision reference.

Process Steps and Decision Flow

Typical stages are: submission of notice, administrative validation by Governance or Committee Services, referral to the relevant scrutiny committee, an evidence hearing or report, and a final recommendation to confirm, amend or refer the decision back to the executive. If urgent implementation is permitted by the constitution, an urgent decision procedure may limit or bypass call-in; check the council constitution for urgent business rules.

Urgent decision rules can exempt some decisions from call-in under the constitution.

Penalties & Enforcement

Call-in is a procedural governance remedy rather than a bylaw offence process; therefore the council constitution and committee rules do not normally set fines for the act of calling in a decision. Where a call-in reveals breaches of enforceable bylaws or statutory duties, separate enforcement provisions apply under the relevant bylaw or statutory regime.

Fines: not specified on the cited page for call-in itself; any fines arise under the underlying bylaw or statute.
Escalation: enforcement of bylaw breaches follows the relevant enforcement code; escalation ranges are not specified on the cited page.
Non-monetary sanctions: orders, compliance notices, suspension of licences or referral to court may apply under the controlling instrument.
Enforcer and contact: Governance Services and Committee Services within Glasgow City Council administer call-in and committee referral.
Appeal/review: internal review via council committees or challenge by judicial review in the courts; specific internal time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page.

Applications & Forms

The council constitution describes procedural notices but does not publish a universal statutory 'call-in form' on the cited page; submission is normally by email or written notice to Governance or Committee Services with the decision reference and reasons for call-in. Fees are not applicable to filing a call-in notice unless linked to a separate statutory application, in which case the relevant service will publish any fee.

Seek prompt contact with Committee Services to confirm any procedural deadlines.

Common Issues Found in Call-In Reviews

Failure to follow consultation requirements leading to remittal.
Non-compliance with planning or licensing conditions identified during scrutiny.
Insufficient evidence or flawed impact assessment requiring reconsideration.

Action Steps

Identify the decision reference and date from committee papers.
Contact Governance or Committee Services immediately to confirm eligibility and deadlines.
Prepare a written notice stating the grounds for call-in and submit by the council deadline.
Attend the scrutiny hearing and present evidence or request further investigation.

FAQ

Who can use call-in in Glasgow?: Eligible councillors or designated scrutiny chairs under the council constitution may submit a call-in notice for executive decisions.
Does call-in stop a decision from taking effect?: Call-in typically pauses implementation while the scrutiny process proceeds, but urgent decision rules in the constitution can allow immediate implementation in specified circumstances.
Are there fees to file a call-in?: No standard fee is published for filing a call-in notice; check Governance Services for confirmation.
Can a call-in be challenged in court?: Yes; judicial review remains available for legal challenges to a decision after internal remedies are exhausted or where appropriate.

How-To

Locate the executive decision notice and record the decision reference and publication date.
Confirm eligibility to call in with Governance or Committee Services and note the deadline.
Draft a concise written notice setting out the specific grounds for review and desired outcome.
Submit the notice to the published Committee Services contact by the required method before the deadline.
Prepare evidence and attend the scrutiny hearing to support the call-in.
If dissatisfied with the internal outcome, seek legal advice on judicial review promptly.

Key Takeaways

Call-in is an internal governance remedy to review executive decisions before implementation.
Strict deadlines and procedural requirements apply; contact Committee Services immediately.
Judicial review remains an external route where legal error is alleged.