The Scrutiny Advisory Committee will agree a work programme, which is approved by the PTA annually.

The Committee's choice of topics for their work programme is informed by their annual meeting with the Chairman of the PTA, the interests and concerns of the scrutiny members themselves, and the strategic issues facing the Districts and Nexus.

Work programmes are developed at the start of the year but are responsive and flexible enough to allow urgent or novel items to be considered as appropriate.

The Scrutiny Advisory Committee undertakes to report its findings and recommendations to the PTA and or officers on a regular basis.

Scrutiny meetings are open to the public and are held in various venues around the Tyne & Wear region.

The work programme for 2007/08 has been agreed by the PTA and consists of continued work to feed into policy development including contributing to consultations and briefings as they emerge through the year.

It includes monitoring major projects such as the New Tyne Crossing and Metro Reinvigoration and takes on the broad theme of "connectivity" - looking at accessibility issues in the region and the challenge public transport faces of connecting people with employment and services.

The Scrutiny Advisory Committee's work programme is planned but flexible and the Committee are always prepared to consider taking urgent or novel items as they arise. The Committee is particularly interested in scrutiny topics, which have relevance for the passenger, and welcome your views on topics and issues which scrutiny could turn their spotlight towards.