Casual Wednesday at Leicester City Council.

Finance select committee. Ross Willmott bounds in. No tie, light pink shirt, casual trousers. Jovial lines peppered with his own giggles. It was a council scrutiny meeting, but he could have been embarking on a package cruise.

He took his seat in front of me and was soon joined by Andy Connelly, positively pink thanks to the beaming summer sunshine, and Patrick Kitterick.

The line-up looked like the back seat of a school bus – packed with the class rabble-rousers.

They were in good spirits for a trio so recently sheared of their cabinet responsibilities. Why? Because they now sit on one of the most powerful committees.

They look after the money. How on earth did the Labour whips let this one slip through the net?

Did any members want a briefing about how council finances work – an officer asked. You’d hope not, or they’re on the wrong committee.

But it was an opportunity for a Willmott boast: “The chief finance officer tells me everything he tells the cabinet anyway.” [See comments]

Hooray! They’re still in the loop. Or are they?

“You’ve got to read the Mercury to find out what’s happening at the council these days,” grumbled Kitterick. Perhaps not.

Five minutes in and the first trap had been set. Kitterick requested that Vi Dempster, cabinet member for children and schools, turn up next time around to explain some missed targets. “I second that,” said Willmott.

“It’s an ambush,” Ross Grant Tweeted.

Later on the presence of leader Veejay Patel was requested. Directors and documents were also necessary for the next meeting, they said. Chief executive Sheila Lock ended up sitting at the table to explain items. Officers were grilled. Just one item went through on the nod. No quarter was given here.

When the poor council scribe taking notes was asked to read back the committee’s shopping list of demands she mentioned that the two cabinet members would address the committee.

“I don’t want to be addressed,” said Willmott, “I want to question them.”

Will they be added to the agenda for the next meeting on July 7? No-one could say.

Chair Coley said, half-joking, that if they couldn’t then they’d have to arrange an emergency session.

“Perfect,” said Willmott, “I’ve got a lot of time on my hands these days.”

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