A COUNCIL has been accused of cronyism after it announced plans to make school governors sign contracts promising they will back council policy.

Darlington Borough Council wants governors appointed by the authority to sign a contract indicating they will represent the policies of the Labour-run local education authority (LEA).

But the move has been attacked by opposition councillors, who are concerned it will lead to supporters of the council being appointed as governors.

The plan has led to members of the lifelong learning scrutiny committee 'calling in' in the proposal for further explanation - the first time the option has been used since the council reverted to a cabinet system earlier this year.

Under the proposals discussed by the council cabinet, governors appointed by the local education authority would be required to attend regular briefings and updates on council education issues.

By signing the protocol, the governors would effectively be backing the education policies of the authority.

That would mean they would be in breach of the contract if they went against controversial policies such as the amalgamation of infant and junior schools in Darlington.

Conservative group leader Tony Richmond, who is also a member of the lifelong learning scrutiny committee, has described the proposals as "disgraceful".

"What they want is to get governors who will act as stooges, who will push the policies of the council," he said.

"School governors have to be independently-minded people whose first priority should be to support the school, pupils and parents, and not the political dogma of the Labour council.

"This is just another example of cronyism."

But Coun Richmond, who is considering calling for a judicial review of the proposal, has been accused of using the issue to score political points.

Councillor Eleanor Lister, cabinet member with responsibility for education, said: "What Coun Richmond is doing is dragging party politics into something which is attempting to improve the system for the whole of the borough.

"LEA governors are nominated by us, and this will make them aware of their responsibilities and give them a better understanding of the issues."

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