Conservative to lead another BCP Council scrutiny committee

The function of the committees is to put proposals from the ruling group to the test and challenge the thinking behind proposed policy changes and key decisions, as well as to keep a close eye on the finances.

In many councils, including neighbouring Dorset, the chairs are traditionally held by independent or opposition group councillors.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, run by the Conservatives, is now changing that and putting its candidates in the driving seat of all overview and scrutiny committees.

Opposition councillors have previously claimed they are only doing so because they don’t want their proposals to be challenged.

On Tuesday the place overview and scrutiny committee went by a one-vote margin to the ruling group with Cllr Sean Gabriel taking the chair and Cllr Bob Lawton the vice chair.

Independent Steve Bartlett, who has served almost two years as an overview and scrutiny chairman and is acknowledged to have been a model for the role, was defeated in the contest for chair along with fellow Christchurch Independents member Lesley Dedman who stood for the vice chair.

Cllr Bartlett appealed for committee member to ignore the party whip and vote for him to ensure the committee had a strong voice as “critical friend”.

He said he could deliver a strong overview and scrutiny function “that is not interfered with by party politics". He added: "Please use your personal judgement and don’t bow to any pressure you may have been submitted to by your whips."