11th May 2005

Following the Conservative majority gained at the recent Oxfordshire County Council election, the Greens (the only other Group to make gains at the County elections) have openly criticised the Tories for their planned approach to Council Management.

Says newly elected County Green Group Leader Cllr Larry Sanders, "Apart from taking all the seats on the ruling Executive Committee, which was expected, the Tories are also taking the Chair and Vice Chairs of all the Scrutiny Committees - whose main role is to hold the Executive to account. Usually, these seats would be taken by opposition Councillors to ensure openess and accountability. This is an outrage - polit bureau style politics - and a slap in the face to those electors who didnt vote Conservative. Those in Oxford, where no Tories were elected, should feel especially cheated."

FMI: Cllr Larry Sanders 01865 723981