"Tories set own scrutiny programme" - Brooks

1.14.57pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Jul 2007

Cllr Brooks is outraged that the Tories are scrutinising themselves

Another blow was struck to democracy in West Berkshire this week as it was revealed that the Overview & Scrutiny Commission's (O&SC) work programme is to be approved by the ruling Conservative Executive.

The O&SC is the body which holds the council to account for its actions and is traditionally chaired and led by the opposition group to ensure fairness, objectivity and accountability. In May, the Tories seized the Chair of the O&SC, giving it to one of their own members. In a further blow to the effectiveness of the body, the Executive will now be approving the proposed work programme of the Commission.

Councillor Jeff Brooks, former Chair of the O&SC, lambasted this latest development:

"It is appalling that the Executive are picking and choosing what they do or don't want scrutinised. This effectively means they can brush things under the carpet that they don't want people to know about - there is no outside eye to protect the interests of the people any more. This council is Tory-run, Tory-scrutinised and completely self-approving. I will be pointing this out to the independent assessors when they come to the council in the autumn as a matter of urgency."