Glasgow Council Call-In Process and Scrutiny Timelines

Parks and Public Spaces Scotland 4 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Scotland

This guide explains the call-in process used by Glasgow City Council in Glasgow, Scotland, how scrutiny committees handle called-in matters, typical timelines, who enforces procedure and how to act if you need to challenge or report a decision. It summarises available official guidance, identifies where formal timescales and forms are set out, and gives practical steps for councillors, officers and members of the public.

Overview of the call-in process

Call-in allows councillors to request that a recently taken executive or committee decision be reviewed by the relevant scrutiny or full council committee before it is implemented. The specific mechanics and the officer responsible for receiving a call-in are set out in the council governance documents and committee pages for Glasgow City Council Glasgow Councillors and Committees[1]. Where standing orders or a scheme of delegation specify time limits, those provisions govern how long a decision can be implemented before review.

If you are a councillor considering call-in, confirm the applicable standing orders and the monitoring officer contact immediately.

Timelines and deadlines

Timelines for lodging a call-in, scheduling a scrutiny hearing and suspending implementation are set by council standing orders and committee procedures. Where the council specifies working-day counts or statutory periods, those apply to the call-in window and meeting notice periods. If a precise number of days or working-day rule is required for your case, consult the council’s committee pages or contact Committee Services for the authoritative deadline and calculation method Committee Services[2]. If a precise figure is not visible on the published page, it will be noted below as not specified.

  • Notice to call in: not specified on the cited page; see Committee Services for the operative standing order or local practice.
  • Scheduling of a scrutiny meeting: depends on committee cycle and notice requirements stated in standing orders; not specified on the cited page.
  • Required supporting material: submit reasoned grounds and any evidence requested by Committee Services.
Timing rules are governed by the council’s standing orders and committee practice rather than by a single national statute.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of the call-in procedure is primarily procedural: ensuring that standing orders are followed, meetings are lawfully constituted and decisions are implemented only after any valid call-in is resolved. Financial fines specific to call-in procedures are not typical municipal sanctions; where monetary penalties, disciplinary measures or other sanctions exist they are set out in the council’s governance documents or in employment/procedure policies.

  • Fines or monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation for repeated breaches of procedure: not specified on the cited page; may include referral to standards/ethics processes.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to rehear decisions, suspension of implementation, referral to full council, standards committee investigation or judicial review in court.
  • Enforcer and oversight: Monitoring Officer, Committee Services and the relevant committee chair oversee compliance; contact details are provided on council committee pages.
  • Inspection, complaints and reporting: use Committee Services or the Monitoring Officer email/phone listed on the council site.
  • Appeal or review routes: internal review by the relevant committee, referral to full council, ethical standards complaints and judicial review to the courts; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page.

Common procedural violations and typical outcomes:

  • Failure to lodge a call-in within the standing order period - outcome: call-in rejected or decision lawfully implemented; sanction: not specified on the cited page.
  • Insufficient grounds or evidence - outcome: call-in dismissed by committee.
  • Breaches of meeting procedure (quorum, notice) - outcome: decision may be voided or remitted for lawful reconsideration.

Applications & Forms

The council typically requires a formal written request or requisition to trigger call-in processes; however, a named standard form or application number for call-in is not published on the primary committee pages and standing orders summary. For the exact submission form, deadline and any fee (fees are not usual for call-in requests), contact Committee Services or view the full standing orders on the council site Glasgow Councillors and Committees[1].

Action steps - how to call in a decision or seek review

  • Confirm the decision date and identify the standing order or delegation rule relevant to call-in.
  • Prepare a written call-in request stating grounds and evidence, addressed to Committee Services or the Monitoring Officer.
  • Submit the request by the method specified by Committee Services (email or official submission route) and note any confirmation or case reference.
  • Attend the scheduled scrutiny hearing and provide supporting argument or documentary evidence as required.
Always obtain the current standing orders and committee timetable from Committee Services before relying on a deadline.

FAQ

Who can call in a decision?
Typically councillors who meet the eligibility criteria in the council’s standing orders; members of the public do not normally have a direct call-in right but can ask councillors to act on their behalf.
How long do I have to call in a decision?
Time limits are set in the council’s standing orders or committee procedures; a precise working-day count is not specified on the summary committee pages and should be confirmed with Committee Services.
Does calling in a decision stop it being implemented?
A valid call-in normally pauses implementation until the scrutiny committee has reviewed the matter, subject to standing order rules and any urgency exceptions.

How-To

  1. Check the council’s standing orders and the decision record to identify if the decision is eligible for call-in.
  2. Draft a written requisition explaining the reasons and attach any supporting documents.
  3. Submit the requisition to Committee Services or the Monitoring Officer by the official channel and request an acknowledgement.
  4. Prepare to present the case to the scrutiny committee and follow any directions from Committee Services on timing and evidence.

Key Takeaways

  • Call-in is a procedural safeguard governed by the council’s standing orders rather than by general criminal or fine-based sanctions.
  • Confirm deadlines and required forms with Committee Services or the Monitoring Officer before acting.
  • If in doubt, seek the official standing orders, committee guidance or legal advice early.

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