[Peter Marrington]

I think it is highly appropriate for co-optees to be allowed to suggest review topics. If they sit on the committee they should be afforded the same staus as elected members (albeit without voting rights in some cases). In Leeds we encourage our co-optees to put forward ideas, why wouldnt you?

[Keith Gordon]

I agree with Peter. Here, Members have the right to request items to be included in the agenda for scrutiny meetings but I encourage everyone I meet to suggest items for review (I'm a wow at parties!).

After consideration by the Scrutiny Commission the suggestions are not necessarily followed through for a variety of reasons but we always explain why not or include in the work plan.

I think the wider the net for suggestions the more responsive scrutiny is and as Peter says 'Why wouldn't you?'

[Howard Boots]

Co-opted Members of Committees especially the statutory co-optees on education scrutiny committees are (at least in Tameside) full members of the committee and should have the same rights to suggest items for scrutiny committees' work programmes, etc., it is good practice, encourages engagement and can add value to the work of the committee.

[Matthew Garrard]

The same applies in Nottinghamshire, Education co-optees are full members of the committee therefore they can put forward issues for review. They are also invited to training and any other event designed to identify issues for scrutiny. However, even if they were not able to put forward topics as members, the public can put forward issues for scrutiny and they would be involved in that way.