Lib Dems demand more accountability in town hall at Southwark’s annual meeting

Speaking at Southwark Cathedral, Cllr Irina von Wiese said that current scrutiny processes were “not fit for purpose”.

Following a review into Southwark’s scrutiny, the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) published a slate of recommendations to improve council scrutiny.

Lib Dem councillors called for the constitution to be amended at the annual meeting to reflect the recommendations of the CfGS review. Labour refused this request.

The Lib Dem opposition group has also called for the position of chair on the main scrutiny committee to be given to an opposition councillor, as was the arrangement when Lib Dems controlled the council.

However, at the annual meeting, Labour councillors voted for their own member to be chair, meaning the main scrutiny committee will continue to be chaired by a member of the controlling party.

Commenting, Cllr Irina von Wiese, vice-chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said:

“Our lack of proper scrutiny is symptomatic of a culture of complacency and self-congratulation which has been allowed to fester during years of ‘more of the same’. What starts out with complacency can easily turn into unchecked decision-making, undermine the democratic process and erode the trust of the public in their elected representatives. Let’s not slip down that slope. Southwark needs reform now.”