WINCHESTER city councillors are to hold civic chiefs to account as part of a shake up in the way the council is scrutinised.

The scheduled meetings will bring the councillors before the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to present their portfolios, and take questions.

Cllr Rob Humby has been earmarked as one of the first for his involvement with the Silver Hill project. The move was suggested by committee chair Cllr Chris Pines, who said: “We did discuss this about a year ago, but it does give us the opportunity to take one portfolio holder, not to task, but for them to make a short statement about their work and the committee to question them on anything relevant.”

Not all members were keen, with Cllr Robert Sanders concerned about the added workload. “Setting a load of dates so they can be at your beck and call seems a bit pointless to me,” he said.

Cllr Therese Evans said: “I don’t see it as creating unnecessary work; I think it is part of a normal scrutiny process.”

Councillors Mike Southgate and Jan Warwick were also named for meetings in September and December.