The Conservatives in East Staffordshire Borough Council have killed the scrutiny over the last seven years so much so that they don’t even know it works.
In February, the Chief Executive, produced the revised Scrutiny arrangements as the old system was simply a failure. The new system was intended to improve functioning of the Scrutiny, be more inclusive and effective. It would have given all members of the Council opportunity to participate and engage in the working of the Council.
In the last Scrutiny Programme Board (SPB) Meeting on 1 March 2010, the membership of the new committees was agreed. This was done to commence the scrutiny work in earnest and to complete many outstanding reviews from previous system without further delay.
However, today, in the Scrutiny Programme Board (SPB) Meeting we have learned that at least 3 Labour Councillors cannot take part in the new Scrutiny system as proposed by the Chief Executive due to constitutional requirement for political balance.
The Labour Group rightly does not want to disenfranchise any of its elected members from taking part in the Scrutiny process. For many, it is the only way to take part and challenge the ruling Conservative administration.
So today SPB had no other option but to suspend the Committee membership until all members of the Council can take part in the Scrutiny. This means NO SCRUTINY work until further notice!
We have gone from improving and reviving the system to total collapse. This is utter chaos, shambles and incompetence.
This is a damning indictment of the Conservative administration which does not know how to run the Council. Their priorities are to target and penalise elderly and disabled people by cutting bus pass scheme.
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