Parties criticise suspension of scrutiny meetings

Opposition parties on Sandwell Council have accused the new Reform administration of a lack of transparency for suspending all scrutiny meetings until the autumn.

Removing the hold-to-account meetings "weakens our democracy and risks decisions being made without proper examination", Green group leader John Tipper said.

The council said starting the meetings in September would allow 46 new councillors to complete training and the calendar of meetings had been "agreed unanimously" in May.

Labour opposition group leader Paul Moore said it had not been possible to dispute the scheduling of individual meetings presented as a bulk calendar.

Independent councillor Richard Jeffcoat and Moore said the move was a step backwards given the last meetings were in March and one was not now planned until September.

In a joint statement, the councillors said that while they stood ready to work constructively with the new administration, "effective co-operation must include proper scrutiny arrangements to ensure decisions are open, transparent, and in the best interests of Sandwell residents".

"Suspending all scrutiny until September leaves residents without the transparency they deserve," added Moore.

"We will continue to push for proper oversight and responsible decision-making, because the people of Sandwell expect and deserve nothing less."

Tipper said: "Good governance relies on open debate, challenge, and public scrutiny.

"Removing those safeguards for months at a time weakens our democracy and risks decisions being made without proper examination."

Jeffcoat added that pausing scrutiny meetings for an entire summer was a step backwards and "whatever our political differences, councillors share a duty to the people of Sandwell".

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