Witness charter

Attending a scrutiny meeting as a witness is often a new experience for people. Lancashire County Council recognises the need to support witnesses. We will keep witnesses informed throughout the scrutiny process to try and ensure that the experience is as stress-free as possible.

The Council will:

1 - inform the witness of the time, date and place of the scrutiny meeting at which their evidence is to be taken;

2 - inform the witness of the matters the scrutiny body wish to ask them, and inform the witness of any documents that it wishes them to produce;

3 - provide reasonable notice of all the scrutiny body's requirements, to enable the witness to respond in full at the earliest opportunity;

4 - provide copies of relevant reports, papers and background information;

5 - seek to make any reasonable adjustments to overcome communication barriers;

6 - arrange for the Chair of the scrutiny body to introduce himself/herself to the witness before the meeting;

7 - ensure that all witnesses are treated with courtesy and respect and that all questions to witnesses are made in an orderly manner as directed by the Chair;

8 - follow up with the witness after the meeting.