Concern has been raised over how Lewisham Council decisions are scrutinised after councillors went against advice in a parlimentary report on overview and scrutiny.  

Cabinet member for children’s services Cllr Chris Barnham and cabinet member for finance Cllr Amanda de Ryk both sat at the committee table at a scrutiny meeting where the unprecedented £15.6m overspend on children’s and young people’s services for 2017/18 was reviewed.

They were also invited to comment and answer questions during the meeting.

This comes after an inquiry on local authorities gave recommendations to improve the level of scrutiny between the executive, or cabinet, and the councillors who then review their decisions through scrutiny committees and panels.

Recommendations, which are expected to be adopted by the Government in December, included that committees and the executive must be distinct and that cabinet members must not participate in scrutiny other than as witnesses and to answer questions, and must not sit at the committee table.

According to the report: “We believe that executive members should attend meetings of scrutiny committees only when invited to do so as witnesses and to answer questions from the committee.

“Any greater involvement by the executive, especially sitting at the committee table with the committee, risks unnecessary politicisation of meetings and can reduce the effectiveness of scrutiny by diminishing the role of scrutiny members.”

The report also warned that scrutiny is often not held in high enough esteem, leading to a lack of constructive challenge to improve services for residents.

Cllr Alan Hall questioned why the cabinet members were at the meeting and whether they would be present for the whole duration, but meeting chairman Cllr Jim Mallory said it was helpful for the cabinet members to hear first-hand what was discussed.

“I also think they can contribute to the information being provided in a meaningful way,” he said.

“The guidance says they are not here to enter into debate with us or take part in any debate we might have. It also says it is within the chair’s discretion to invite whosoever they want,” he added.

Cllr Hall said it was important to not only follow the Government’s guidance but follow best practice.

Cllr Barnham was invited to comment about the cost pressures in children’s social care, and said the council had used expensive measures to cope with pressures.

“It is going to take us time to dig our way out of that into better service which is also better value,” he said.

Cllr de Ryk commented about her role as cabinet member.

A Lewisham Council spokesman said: “Scrutiny at Lewisham operates in accordance with all statutory regulations and guidance.

“Cabinet members only attend overview and scrutiny when they are invited to by the chair of the committee. They are not part of the committee and sit as witnesses providing information and answering questions from the committee.

“This follows the recommendations in the parliamentary report and provides a clear distinction between scrutiny and the executive.”