Tory leader fails to turn up (Lewisham Liberal Democrats)

Lewisham Liberal Democrats <info@lewishamlibdems.org.uk>

Tory leader fails to turn up

October 7, 2008 10:56 AM

The Tory leader has missed most Overview and Scrutiny meetings

A recent council question asked by Councillor Mark Morris, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Lewisham Council, has revealed the appalling attendance of Tory Leader Dave Britton at the Overview and Scrutiny Business Panel. The Tory Leader has been accused of failing to ensure that the Labour Mayor's decisions are properly scrutinised.

Since Councillor Dave Britton was elected leader of the Conservative group in May 2006, his record of attendance at these important meetings has been as follows:

Year 2006/07: 4 out of 15 meetings attended (27% attendance rate)

Year 2007/08: 1 out of 16 meetings attended (6% attendance rate)

Year 2008/09 1 out of 6 meetings attended (17% attendance rate).

Councillor Mark Morris said:

"The Business Panel is the only real check we have on decisions made by Lewisham's Executive Mayor. All of Sir Steve Bullock's decisions should be properly examined, and where appropriate the Business Panel should use its powers of calling in decisions and urge the Mayor to reconsider a policy. However, this committee cannot fulfil its important functions when councillors such as Dave Britton repeatedly fail to turn up to so many meetings. By not turning up to these meetings the Conservative group leader is just making life easier for Sir Steve Bullock.

"The figures speak for themselves - Councillor Britton and the Conservative Party have failed in their basic duties of scrutinising Lewisham's Labour Mayor over the last two years."