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# Conservatives told to back up scrutiny talk with action at Lichfield District Council
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/conservatives-told-to-back-up-scrutiny-talk-with-action-at-lichfield-district-council/
- Published: 2015-06-09T08:00:14.000Z
- Updated: 2015-06-09T08:51:07.000Z
- Description: Senior Conservatives in Lichfield and Burntwood have been told they must back up their words with actions.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 20:42, News

Senior Conservatives in Lichfield and Burntwood have been told they must back up their words with actions.

The gauntlet was thrown down by Labour opposition group leader Cllr Sue Woodward ahead of this evening’s overview and scrutiny committee meeting.

She accused the Tories on Lichfield District Council of “falling at the first hurdle” after refusing to allow a debate over [an independent remuneration panel report](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2015/05/15/independent-panel-disappointed-councillors-opted-for-pay-rise/).

[![Cllr Sue Woodward](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/18192178470_de6e8b3622_k.jpg)](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2015/06/04/labour-group-leader-hopes-more-women-councillors-will-get-senior-roles-in-future/18192178470%5Fde6e8b3622%5Fk/)

Cllr Sue Woodward

“There has been a lot of positive noise about wanting more effective scrutiny, but see let’s see if it translates into actions,” she said.

“They fell at first hurdle at the last meeting of the council. The leader talked about wanting to develop it, but then when I asked for a report to be deferred for further scrutiny it was rejected.

“Conservative leader Mike Wilcox said it wasn’t needed it because it had been looked at by all members. Call me a cynic, but I doubt if all members had fully read the whole report.

“Six weeks worth of consideration, scrutiny and assessment of the implications would have been valuable. It wouldn’t have made a difference, as any increase could have been backdated.

“But having talked about scrutiny being important, they didn’t accept a proposal to scrutinise something.”

A number of Conservative councillors did speak out about the need for effective scrutiny when the council last met.

But Cllr Woodward believes the Tories need to ensure newer members understand the role they can play in ensuring the right decisions are being made for local taxpayers.

“As a big controlling group they have got to make sure members really do understand that this is where they can have a big effect on behalf of communities,” she said. “But if they simply turn up, roll over, don’t ask difficult questions and simply accept everything cabinet puts forward, then they’re not performing their proper function on behalf of residents.

“There are a number of Conservative councillors who really do understand value of scrutiny and getting better decisions for the district.

“But too many, I’m afraid, just go with the flow and don’t make the sort of waves needed to get better decisions.

“Scrutiny isn’t about opposing decisions, it’s about refining and improving. The eight Cabinet members don’t necessarily have all the knowledge, understanding and best ideas.

“It’s important to make sure we capture all ideas and views to refine decisions and make them better for residents.”