WHO should sit on the panel that judges the performance of the chief executive of Cotswold District Council?

Debate raged in the council chamber last Tuesday. Formerly the four-strong appraisal panel comprised the leader of the council, the chairman of the council and the leaders of the Liberal Democrat and Independent Group.

It now comprises the leader of the council, a cabinet member of his choice, the chairman of the audit committee and the leader of the largest minority political group, currently Lib Dem leader Deryck Nash.

Thirty councillors voted for the change, nine opposed it and there were three abstentions.

Independent councillor Peter Martin questioned why party politics appeared to be playing a part in the change.

"The panel should be appointed on merit and it's quite clear to me party politics has crept in again," he said.

CDC leader Cllr Lynden Stowe (Con) refuted Cllr Martin's comments. "I'd have been criticised for not including a member of the opposition," he said.

Several members also disagreed with the Tory administration's decision to axe the chairman of the council from the panel.

Cllr Sue Jepson (Con), CDC chairman from 2003 - 2007, said: "The chairman has an overall, broad perspective and is in touch with all the members of the council. It seems to me that this is change for change's sake."

Cllr Deryck Nash added: "The chairman of the council is the one person in the council that is above politics - apolitical."

Current CDC chairman Sheila Jeffrey (Con) did not object to the decision during the meeting of the full council. CDC chief executive Bob Austin did not make comment during the debate.