City Conservatives looking to fill vacant committee seat
Councillors are set to decide later this month on the make up of a key scrutiny committee that oversees the running of children’s services in Sunderland.
The leader of Sunderland City Council’s Conservative opposition has spoken out as his party prepares a bid for a greater say in the running of the struggling service.
The council’s Children, Education and Skills Scrutiny Committee, which monitors Together for Children, has been one member short since the beginning of August, when Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen O’Brien resigned his place on the committee.
Later this month, the Conservatives plan to try and fill the vacant spot themselves.
Conservative leader Coun Robert Oliver said: “With the recent inadequate rating given by Ofsted this is the most important scrutiny committee on the council and it is essential that both the opposition seats are filled and that councillors attend the meetings.
“It is disappointing that the Liberal Democrat and Others Group on the council has decided to give up its seat after failing to attend one single meeting of the committee at a time when scrutiny of Together for Children is needed most.
“It is the role of the opposition to make sure the Labour Group is kept on its toes by opposition councillors, attending scrutiny meetings and putting pressure on the leadership of the council for the benefit of residents.”
The next full meeting of Sunderland City Council is scheduled for Wednesday, September 19.