LEAD members could be banned from sitting on scrutiny committees if new rules are backed on Tuesday.

The decision to allow councillor Beverley Dunlop to sit as a substitute member on BCP Council’s overview and scrutiny board drew criticism but legal officers said it breached no rules.

In response, a motion calling on the council to change its constitution so that lead members cannot sit on any scrutiny committee will be put forward at Tuesday’s full council meeting.

Cllr Dunlop was appointed as the lead member for events last month – one of six councillors given such a role which involves working with the cabinet.

Although not a regular member of the scrutiny board, she was asked to substitute for fellow Conservative councillor David Kelsey at its November 2 meeting.

The move drew strong criticism from former council leader Vikki Slade who said it was “completely mad” that someone involved with the cabinet could be allowed to review its work.

But the council’s monitoring officer, Susan Zeiss, said there was no legal reason for it not to be allowed.

“We have looked into this matter and there’s nothing to prevent cabinet assistants – as they’re more formally known – to sit on scrutiny, provided the portfolios they hold do not overlap with the business being discussed,” she said.

In light of this, Liberal Democrat group leader Millie Earl will put forward a motion at Tuesday’s full council meeting to amend the council’s rules so that lead members cannot sit on any scrutiny committee.

Her motion will say: “BCP Council believes that lead members appointed by the [council] leader to assist the executive in its decision making cannot be members or scrutiny committees and cannot substitute for absent members of scrutiny committees.”

She will be seconded by Christchurch Independent councillor Simon McCormack.

Should the motion be supported at Tuesday’s meeting, the council’s constitution will be changed to make such a move against its rules.