CITY OF PRESTON LABOUR PARTY

Lancashire County Council Labour Group has expressed its concerns over the reduction by the Tories of democratic powers to scrutinise the council's cabinet and leader - positions held by Tory councillors - and call them to account.

Labour Group leader, Jennifer Mein (pictured) commented 'What the Conservatives passed at Full Council amounts to a 40% reduction in the Council's ability to challenge the decision making process. The council will now only cover the bare minimum of its obligations. We fear that many wide–ranging decisions that will affect thousands of residents will go unchecked'.

The Labour Group was also critical of the Locality Working report that was passed by the Conservatives at County Hall. Since the abolition of the popular Lancashire Local Committees many have been waiting to see what the replacement will look like and the Labour Group believe that, despite the rhetoric, the proposals are weak and vacuous.

Cllr Mein added 'We were promised a sustainable and effective replacement to the Lancashire Local committee and instead what we've got is, at best, wishful thinking and, at worst, completely unworkable. The fact is that the Conservatives abolished Lancashire Locals because they were being outvoted and hastily scrambled together this document and now for them to believe it to be a viable, workable and democratic alternative is far from reality. When it comes to democratic scrutiny the Tories have shown that they can't be trusted'.