Residents are raising serious concerns about the impartiality of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee (2022–2027)—a body tasked with holding the council’s decisions to account.
Out of the 14 members appointed to scrutinise decisions on behalf of the public, 11 are Labour councillors, the same party that controls the council. Both the Chair and Vice-Chair roles are held by Labour members.
“It’s like asking your mates to mark your homework,” commented one frustrated local resident.
This political imbalance risks undermining the committee’s purpose: to challenge decisions, promote transparency, and ensure the council acts in the public interest. Instead, many now fear the committee functions as a rubber-stamping exercise, with limited independence or critical oversight.
Additional concerns have been raised about Plaid Cymru Councillor Sera Evans and Independent Councillor Will Jones—both of whom hold paid chair roles on other council committees. With additional allowances attached to these posts, residents are questioning whether these members can remain truly independent in scrutinising Labour-led decisions.
This situation has sparked growing calls for reform, with campaigners demanding a more balanced scrutiny panel that reflects a diversity of political voices.
“Scrutiny should be about challenge, not comfort,” one community campaigner said. “The public deserves better.”
This political imbalance risks undermining the committee’s purpose: to challenge decisions, promote transparency, and ensure the council acts in the public interest. Instead, many now fear the committee functions as a rubber-stamping exercise, with limited independence or critical oversight.
A recent example has caused outrage across communities: the committee approved the council’s decision to cut school transport, forcing comprehensive school pupils to walk up to three miles—regardless of weather or route safety.
“Where was the scrutiny when it mattered most?” asked a concerned parent. “This decision affects children’s safety and ability to learn, but the committee waved it through.”
Below from Councillor Michael Powell FB account
In March 2024 there were three meetings where the changes to Home to School transport was discussed and voted on.
Below are the links to the webcasts of those meetings.
If you are interested in who did what and when then I suggest you watch or listen to all three broadcasts.
https://rctcbc.public-i.tv/…/870334/start_time/245000
https://rctcbc.public-i.tv/…/871274/start_time/284000
https://rctcbc.public-i.tv/…/872635/start_time/202000
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1211655150190004/permalink/1454068589281991
Below The Overview and Scrutiny 2022-2027 Committee
Labour Councillor Julie Edwards Chair
Labour Councillor Barry Stephens vice chair
Labour Councillor Jill Bonetto
Labour Councillor Ros Davis
Labour Councillor Scott Emanuel
Labour Councillor Sheryl Evans
Labour Councillor Gareth Hughes
Labour Councillor Craig Middle
Labour Councillor Loretta Ann Tomkinson
Labour Councillor Gaynor Lesley Warren
Labour Councillor Ross Williams
Plaid Cymru Councillor Sera Evans chair of the Education and Inclusion Scrutiny Committee she gets extra payment as a chair
Independent Councillor Michael Powell
Independent Councillor Will Jones is the Leader of the Independent Group and the chair of the Democratic Services Committee. He gets extra payments for the two additional posts. Is he going to rock the labour boat?
Related Posts
The well-balanced Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee? Decided to follow the 8 members of the Council Cabinet and ban black bin collections
Coronavirus: public transport concerns raised during FMQs
Questions raised after political leaflets handed out during trans ballet performance