[Rhian Evans]

Philip,

Here, in Denbighshire, the County Council's scrutiny committees do elect their own chairs and vice-chairs. Generally, this seems to work well with office holders being elected on merit rather than on the party political ticket. The Council's constitution stipulates that candidates who wish to be considered for either role are asked to submit a written statement outlining their strengths and qualitites and how they think they meet the requirements set out in the role description as well as how they see the Committee operating.

[David Collins]

Such innovation from the North.....

Down here the Controlling Group offered some of the chairs to the opposition but this was declined. The chairs were subsequently "appointed" by Full Council rather than by the Scrutiny Committees.