The committees should be strengthened by involving them in concrete business such as compiling worthwhile reports for the council, etc. For example, councillors could be provided with all relevant documentation in the run-up to the estimates meeting to allow them see the true costs. This would replace the estimates document prepared by the finance officer which councillors receive two to three weeks beforehand and help avoid the type of ritual that is played out at estimates meetings. The process could be much more positive if it were done properly by using SPCs.