Liberal Democrats and Labour Propose Opposition Chairs of Scrutiny

2.36.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 16th Jun 2009

Opposition Groups on Oxfordshire County Council today joined forces to nominate opposition Chairs to the County's scrutiny committees. Liberal Democrat Chairs were proposed for the Children's Services, Adult Services and Growth & Infrastructure Scrutiny Committees, and Labour Chairs for the Strategy & Partnerships and Safer & Stronger Communities Scrutiny Committees. However, the Conservative majority elected Conservative Chairmen and Vice Chairmen for all five Scrutiny Committees.

Cllr Zoé Patrick, Leader of the Opposition, said, "Scrutiny of Council services and Cabinet decisions is, by law, non-party political and meant to act as a 'critical friend' to the administration. It does not seem right, therefore, for the ruling party to take all the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of these committees. The administration should not be seen to be in control of scrutiny which should be completely independent. I'm pleased to note that the Liberal Democrat run Vale of White Horse District Council has always elected the Conservative Leader of the Opposition as Chair of Scrutiny.

"The Conservative County Council has been elected with a minority of the votes, but are seizing all positions, regardless of good practice elsewhere."

Notes:

Share of Vote in Oxfordshire Compared to Seats Gained:

Conservatives 42.8% 52 Councillors

Liberal Democrats 23.9% 10 Councillors

Labour 15.1% 9 Councillors

Greens 13.9% 2 Councillors

The Oxford Times editorial on 11th June said, "We would like to see these chairmanships shared out among the parties and going to people who have an interest and a passion for their subject, irrespective of the colour of their politics."