Wokingham Lib Dems fear that Tory Executive plans to reduce Powers of the Opposition
March 7, 2003 12:00 AM
Wokingham Liberal Democrats are concerned that the Tory Executive at Wokingham District Council has plans to gag the Lib Dem opposition by giving the Tories the majority on Overview & Scrutiny Committee. This follows a warning by the Leader of the Council, Conservative Councillor Frank Browne, at the Overview & Scrutiny Committee last night.
The Overview & Scrutiny Committee has traditionally been led by the opposition in order to give them, and the administration's back-benchers, an opportunity to hold the Executive to account.
Councillor Tina Marinos (Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Lib Dem Councillor for Evendons ward) said, "The Overview & Scrutiny Committee asks questions, scrutinises the Executive's decisions and provides the checks and balances required in a healthy democracy.
"You can imagine what it would be like run by the Conservatives - they would simply rubber-stamp their Executive's decisions, do as they were told by their leader, and keep their mouths shut. This would result in an all-powerful, secretive Executive. I believe the Leader of the Council should think very carefully before he commits the Council to this undemocratic way of working - it is essential that all Councillors contribute to the democratic process in an open and transparent way, and that includes opposing the Executive when necessary."
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