Row over meetings (From Warrington Guardian)

Row over meetings

SCRUTINY of council decisions could be undermined by 'bad practice' from the Lib Dem/Tory alliance, according to a Labour councillor.

Clr John Morris said board alliance members had been going against the advice of the Local Government Act 2000 by turning up at scrutiny meetings.

Clr Morris said the presence of board members could inhibit discussion by committee members.

He spoke out at the recent sustainable environments and regeneration scrutiny committee after he saw new board member Clr Graham Wellborn in the public gallery.

He said afterwards two portfolio members had also been at a previous scrutiny meeting.

After the meeting council leader Clr Ian Marks, said: "Sometimes a board member will simply attend as an observer to gain knowledge and build relationships.

"It is important that this is not perceived as too close a relationship which might be seen to be influencing the debate."