THE chair of Barnsley Council’s overview and scrutiny panel has been named as a Reform councillor, leading opposition members to claim the party are ‘marking their own homework’.

At last week’s annual full council meeting, decisions on chairs of area councils and panels were made.

The overview and scrutiny committee which delves into what the council is doing has been chaired by a Labour councillor in a Labour-run council for a number of years.

The Reform Party have gone down the same route, electing Councillor Luke Wheat as the chair with the Barnsley branch voting against other members who had put forward independent Coun Jake Lodge.

Coun Lodge said: “It’s a role I take extremely seriously and one that is fundamental to ensuring transparency, accountability and good governance within the council.

“I’ve been a long-standing member of scrutiny and throughout that time I’ve always approached the role independently, fairly and constructively.

“Scrutiny works best when it’s not driven by party politics but by evidence, challenge and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for residents.

“Over the years I’ve not been afraid to raise serious and difficult issues where necessary including bringing forward the borough’s first councillor call for action in nearly two decades.

“That demonstrated to me the importance of scrutiny as a mechanism for ensuring concerns raised by residents and councillors alike are properly heard and addressed.

“Overview and scrutiny must continue to act as an effective check and balance on the executive.

“It’s there to ask difficult questions and, where needed, to hold decision makers to account and to ensure that policies and decisions are robust, transparent and in the best interest of the borough.

“But scrutiny’s also much more than that.

“It’s the voice of residents within this chamber and the voice of backbench councillors from across all political backgrounds.

“Every councillor regardless of political leaning should feel they have the opportunity to raise concerns, challenge decisions and contribute meaningfully to improve the work of this authority.”

Coun Wheat was chosen by the Reform council to chair the panel instead.

In a statement on social media, he said: “At a time when we have been elected to drive change and improvement within our local authority, it will be a great honour to lead a committee that reviews and scrutinises key decisions, policies and performance across the council, helping to ensure transparency, accountability and value for money for residents.

“Rest assured Barnsley your council will drive change.”

In response, the Liberal Democrat group who backed Coun Lodge’s campaign, said that the Reform group are effectively ‘marking their own homework’.

A spokesperson said: “The Liberal Democrats put Barnsley first and recommended that independent councillor Jake Lodge should chair scrutiny within the council.

“We have always pushed for Barnsley to follow best practice as set out by the Local Government Association, which advises that the leading group should not chair scrutiny.

“Reform made promises to be be open, honest and transparent on the work of the council.

“Unfortunately, they have broken their promise, and decided to mark their own homework and hide behind closed doors.

“Scrutiny of this council is extremely important.

“With the reality that Reform has no intentions of changing the way things are done, we will continue to be the party that scrutinises the decisions of the council, holding them to account and putting Barnsley first.”