Scrutiny committees to be axed

FIVE scrutiny committees – originally set up to help improve Warrington Borough Council’s performance – are to be swept away in a major shake-up of the Town Hall’s committee structure.
They will be replaced with one overall scrutiny committee and four policy committees, if recommendations from the all-party constitutional sub-committee are accepted by the full council at its next meeting on December 10.
The ruling Labour group say the changes will be cost neutral – and could actually result in small savings.
Liberal Democrat councillors – who originally condemned the proposals as “jobs for the boys” for Labour councillors – now accept the changes could result in savings.
But Cllr Brian Axcell, who sits on the constitutional sub-committee, said: “We would have preferred a full committee system rather than a hybrid system.
“But it is a step in the right direction.”
Conservative leader Cllr Paul Kennedy, who also sits on the sub-committee said: “I have an open mind about this. I think we have got to give it time to see if it works.”
The five existing scrutiny committees cover children’s service, economy and resources, environment and housing, health and well-being and neighbourhoods and community.
One, overall scrutiny committee will replace them – along with four policy committees.
Chairmen of the committees will receive a special responsibility allowance of £8,506 and deputy chairmen – who did not receive responsibility allowances before – will receive £2,002.
The chairman of the licensing committee, who previously received £6,005, will also receive £8,506.
Membership of the new committees will be reduced from 11 to nine – and membership of the executive board has already been reduced by one, to nine.
All allowances have been recommended by an independent remuneration panel.
It is believed the new system will enable all councillors to be involved in decision-making, serving on a policy committee or the scrutiny committee.
Executive board members, the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor, will be excluded from these committees, however.
The changes will also provide recognition for members with a busy calendar of meetings, free up members’ time to consider issues in more depth and, with smaller membership, provide for a better debating atmosphere.
There will be fewer committee places and less of a cross spread of ideas from different committees, but this may be offset by the introduction of a chairman’s forum.
The constitutional sub-committee is also recommending clarification of the council’s constitution which, as recently as the last full council meeting, resulted in members being prevented from speaking to motions put to the council.
Pictured right: Cllr Axcell (top) and Cllr Kennedy.