The work of Scrutiny Committees is focussed around four main roles:

1. Holding the Cabinet to account
2. Policy development and review
3. External scrutiny, including health scrutiny, investigating issues affecting the wider community
4. Performance review and monitoring to ensure continuous improvement

There are 8 standing Scrutiny Committees:

• Adult Social Services and Housing chaired by Cllr Brian Lambert
• Children's Services chaired by Cllr Ashok Kumar
• Community Safety chaired by Cllr Ashley Kissin
• Health chaired by Cllr Allan Burgess. An Outer North East London Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee was set up to review local issues with neighbouring London Boroughs of Havering, Barking and Dagenham and Waltham Forest. In addition a Pan London Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee was set up to review "Healthcare for London" proposals.
• Environment and Highways chaired by Cllr Robin Turbefield
• Leisure, Culture and the Olympics chaired by Cllr Glenn Corfield
• Planning and Regeneration chaired by Cllr Mrs Ruth Clark
• Resources and Corporate Performance chaired by Cllr Gary Monro

The work of Scrutiny Committees is overseen by Scrutiny Officers and the work programme is updated at each Committee meeting.

It includes progress on any existing Working Groups, which are set up to undertake detailed scrutiny on specific topics as agreed by Members.