On Thursday 22/05/08 the Annual Meeting of the Council took place.  This is largely a ceremonial affair with lots of back slapping.  It is also the time when the Councillors find out the committee allocations and cabinet changes.

I fully understand why the leader of the Council appoints his cabinet but I do not understand why he then nominates who will Chair the Overview and Scrutiny committees, that are supposed to do what it says on the can, which is to check on him and his cabinet!  These Chairmen are paid up to £8,431 extra for these positions with the minimum being  £ 5,620 per annum.  It is like appointing and paying your own judge before a court case!  The Committees when they first meet should elect their own Chair and Vice Chair based on who they think will do the best job, not who the leader wants to choose!  I found this deeply disturbing, what do you think?

Old Grumpy (Cllr Mike Stoddart Real Independent) and the other 3 non aligned members also got stitched up.  They were allocated 2 places on the Planning committee and 2 on the Licensing committee.  None of them are able to serve on the Licensing committee because all had interests to declare in this sector.   This meant they lost two of their allocated places.  What I failed to understand is why they were allocated these commitees in the first place?  Real Independents are made to suffer whilst those that join the Independent Group benefit.  Not a good day for democracy.  Please give me your views.