A COUNCILLOR has called for members of two scrutiny committees to turn their spotlight on themselves to improve the system.

Labour's deputy leader in Hyndburn, David Myles, says the current system of two five-strong committees is not working, and has called for one larger committee to promote debate.

At the moment there is an overview and scrutiny for community wellbeing, which examines the Conservative-controlled council's dealings with outside bodies, and one for service improvement to oversee internal workings.

The committees have no power to overturn cabinet decisions but their recommendations go back to cabinet to be reconsidered.

But Coun Myles says the committees have met three times together, with one meeting once separately and the other never meeting on its own.

"I think the wheels have come off simply because of the small numbers of the committees themselves," he said.

"They are not working as independent committees, they are too small, with only five members it's not good for debate. They are the only place we have cross party discussion. The scrutiny committee is the place to debate issues and stand against them.

"They have been meeting more together than as separate committees so they are lacking direction. I am calling for scrutiny to scrutinise themselves and come up with a formula acceptable to both parties. I would like to have a committee of 10 members -- five from each side -- with the chairman being from the opposition party because that's really where you get scrutiny."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "The reason we formed two committees is because we were having difficulties with people's work hours clashing in these meetings."