Essex County Council has taken the power to appoint LEA school governors back to County Hall cutting out input from local people. The Conservative run administration has agreed to abolish existing local member panels whose remit is to recommend suitable candidates, in favour of a decision being made by the cabinet holder in Chelmsford.

Ken Jones, Liberal Democrats group leader said: "This is a worrying backwards step towards centralized decision making that eliminates the vital local consultation component of the process. The whole point of the panels, was that local people used their local knowledge of their community and its residents, to ensure that the most suitable person was recommended to take on the responsible job of governor at our schools. It is not possible for a politician remotely located at County Hall, to have the know-how to replace the wonderful job that has been done by these panels over many years."

Date: 11 November 2004