There were some encouraging signs, e.g. the Parks & Facilities committee will go out on a visit every other week. However, it remains to be seen how these committees will actually work in practice. Will they sit passively and discuss information and decisions after the event? Or will any of the Labour councillors dare develop policy different from what the Labour administration is deciding?

The SNP's preference is still for committees which actually make decisions. The new executive committee is too centralised and we fear the scrutiny committees will just be talking shops. However, we will certainly take part in them and the jury remains out as to how they will work.