Dudley Council plans to cut watchdog committees
Dudley Council looks set to cut back on watchdog committees for the next year if councillors approve a structural shake-up.
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A meeting of the full council on May 15 will discuss changes which would introduce a system of four scrutiny committees to keep an eye on different departments within the authority.
The restructure would mean the loss of six select committees with only the current Overview and Scrutiny Committee remaining in place.
A total of three new committees covering social care and wellbeing, communities and growth plus housing and assets would be created if councillors approve the proposal.
The new scrutiny committees would replace select committees covering adult social care, children’s services, environment and regeneration, fit for the future and council sustainability, health and housing and safer communities.
The membership of the new committees will reflect the political balance of the council which currently has 35 Conservative members, 25 Labour members, six councillors from the Dudley Independent Group, five Liberal Democrats and one independent councillor not aligned with any group.
Councillors will also vote on who is the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the committees, powerful positions which come with a financial reward.
On top of a councillor’s basic allowance of £12,143, a chairperson on a scrutiny committee collects an extra £10,812 as a special responsibility allowance while their deputy will receive an additional £5,213.
The political background of the committee chairperson can be a contentious issue if they are members of the same party as the ruling group at the council.
Often authorities face allegations of ‘marking their own homework’ if scrutiny is led by the ruling party, in Dudley the outgoing chairpersons of select and scrutiny committees are all opposition politicians.
The current structure was noted by the Local Government Association who said in October 2024: “Following the election in May 2024 the committees are now chaired by opposition group members.
“There has been some development support for members of the committees in their roles but this will need to be kept under review – this is an important function for the council as effective scrutiny provides critical challenge.”
Other council committees including planning, licensing and audit and standards will be retained.
