Wokingham Lib Dems fear that Tory Executive plans to reduce Powers of the Opposition

12.00.00am GMT Fri 7th Mar 2003

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."