THE largest opposition group on Herefordshire Council has been left without a single senior appointment on any of the council's committees.

Tories and Independents dominated the appointments made to committees including general scrutiny and planning at last week's full council meeting.

The council has a duty to ensure membership of its committees and outside bodies reflect the political composition of the council by allocating seats to the political groups in proportion to their numerical strength on the council.

Once the council has approved the allocation of seats to political groups, the group leaders confirm which of their members will take up any seats allocated to their group.

IOC has second highest seat allocation with 10 compared to the Tories' 27, Independents' six, three for the Greens and two for the Lib Dems.

Senior roles are selected by nomination – but none of these positions went to IOC.

Group member Councillor Jim Kenyon, who is also parliamentary candidate for Hereford and South Herefordshire, said: "This is just a game isn't it. It really is. It's Our County are the largest opposition to the administration and there is not one chairmanship or vice chairmanship being offered. It's an absolute joke."

At the meeting, councillors also agreed minor amendments to the constitution adopted in December 2016.

The constitution – which acts as the council’s rule book – explains and regulates how the council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that decisions are efficient, transparent and accountable to the public.

Adoption of the new constitution will see the establishment of three scrutiny committees with newly-elected chairs and a merged planning and regulatory committee.

Cllr Brian Wilcox (Con) was re-elected unopposed as chairman of the council. His vice chairman will be Independent Cllr Phil Edwards.

Cllr Tony Johnson was elected unopposed as leader of the council while chairman of the adults and wellbeing scrutiny committee will be Cllr Polly Andrews, with Cllr John Stone her deputy.

Cllr Paul Newman was elected chairman of audit and governance, with Cllr Chris Chappell his deputy, and chairman of the children and young people scrutiny is Cllr Carole Gandy, with Cllr Felicity Norman vice chairman.

The chairman of the general scrutiny committee will be Cllr Sebastian Bowen and vice chairman will be Cllr Elissa Swinglehurst.

The health and wellbeing board chairmanship was reserved to either cabinet member for adults or children's wellbeing, with Patricia Morgan elected.

Councillor Phil Cutter retains the role of chairman of planning and regulatory, while Cllr John Hardwick will be vice chairman of planning and Cllr David Greenow vice chairman of regulatory.

The constitution includes a new guide to public participation, which enables members of the public to submit one question at nearly all meetings of the council, instead of only at full council meetings.