A plethora of SPCs have been established in recent times, the objective of which is to frame and influence policy within council chambers. I ask those who have attended such SPCs to place their hands on their hearts and assess what influence they have had on policy within councils on the basis of the SPCs' deliberations. Unless we get serious about the context of the SPCs, people from outside bodies or interests will stop attending these strategic policy committees. The introduction of the SPCs was seen as a worthwhile innovation, but I have yet to be convinced that this is the case.