THE ruling Labour group on Exeter City Council has been accused by the opposition of trying to “mark its own homework”.

The self-titled Progressive Group, made up of Exeter’s Green Party and Liberal Democrats, claim Labour is “avoiding proper scrutiny” by appointing its own councillors to chair key scrutiny committees.

They say Labour is ignoring “good democratic practice” by not appointing opposition councillors to chair them and point to Conservative-controlled Devon County Council, where two out of the three scrutiny committees are chaired by opposition councillors.

But council leader Phil Bialyk says there is no requirement for Labour to hand over the chair positions to opposition councillors, adding: “Why should I?”

However, Liberal Democrat co-leader of the Progressive Group, Cllr Michael Mitchell said: “What are Labour frightened of? 

“If they are so confident in their programme for the city, why not open this up and allow opposition councillors to set a course of proper scrutiny?”

Green Party co-leader of the Progressive Group, Cllr Diana Moore, added: “Scrutiny committees probe the work of the council and those who chair these committees have a key role to ensure the authority’s decision makers are held to account.

“By appointing Labour councillors to chair the scrutiny committees, Labour is trying to mark its own homework.”

In response, Cllr Bialyk said: “This is the Progressive Group’s annual complaint on this matter.”

“They are basically looking for a platform,” he added. “And rather than look for a platform perhaps they should look at the issues under scrutiny in the first place. 

“That’s what we concentrate on and that’s what they should concentrate on.

“The constitution and democracy is quite clear, as far as I’m concerned.”

Asked whether Labour should follow the lead of the Conservative group at County Hall, the council leader responded: “We don’t follow the lead … There is no requirement for us to. Why should I?”