A WATCHDOG panel which oversees decision-making at Worcestershire County Council is turning attentions to crime, the economy and next year's budget as it eyes its next step.

The overview, scrutiny and performance board (OSPB), which passes on recommendations to the Tory cabinet, has just produced a timetable for the months ahead, which includes:

- In June it will ask Mark Stansfeld, who chairs the county's Local Enterprise Partnership, to take part in a Q&A

- In July it will take a look at crime levels across Worcestershire, including identifying ways the council can help police

- At some other period in the months ahead it will turn its attention to the Olympic legacy in Worcestershire, looking at what has happened since the London games

- Amid concern from councillors over the sheer level of cuts needed at County Hall, it will debate the 2016/17 budget in January next year

The pencilling in of the finances debate comes at a time when around £25 million is being saved every year under a plan set to run until at least 2018.

The current proposed cutbacks, which are mainly due to demographic pressures and reduced Government funding, may need to be revised further when Chancellor George Osborne delivers his new Budget in July.

Councillor Richard Udall, who chairs the OSPB, said: "It's been a busy and challenging year and I am confident we can meet this new, challenging work programme ahead."

The panel is among the most important at the county council and consistently makes headlines for investigating important issues.

In October last year it revealed how use of foodbanks has rocketed a staggering 150 per cent across Worcestershire in just one year- smashing through the 10,000 barrier for the first time.

In 2012-13 4,363 people in the county used a foodbank, but in 2013-14 it surged to 10,868, a 147 per cent hike.

Of that tally, the number of children under 16 visiting them leapt 162 per cent, from 1,436 to 3,792.

It has also looked at flooding, the future of the fire and rescue service, the financial pressures at the Citizens Advice Bureau and public transport in recent months.