COUNCILLORS trying to set up a committee to keep a close eye on the struggling ambulance service covering Wiltshire have been scuppered by one of their own.

The Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust took over responsibility for Wiltshire in April 2006 following the merger of the three separate ambulance services.

But the Trust has been beset with problems, many of them hitting local people in west and north Wiltshire.

In September last year Audrey Tennant, 75, of Alderton Way, Trowbridge, had to send an ambulance away from her home after it turned up 18 hours too late.

The previous month an ambulance crew got lost in Trowbridge town centre and had to be directed by our photographer Trevor Porter.

In a bid to improve the standard of service in the area and help ensure Government response times are being met, Wiltshire County Council is trying to set up a health scrutiny joint committee to allow members to have a say in how the Trust operates.

In order for it to be set up, all councillors from six authorities served by the GWA - Swindon, Gloucester, South Gloucester, Bristol, North Somerset and Wiltshire - were asked to vote whether to waive the requirements for political proportionality in the committee.

All but one, Independent Cllr Christopher Newbury, who represents Westbury Ham and Dilton electoral division on Wiltshire County Council, voted in favour.

Because of his objection, the process has stalled and cannot move forward because the proportionality of committees is enshrined in law.

Asked whether the future of the ambulance service in Wiltshire was more important than the legal requirement to have representatives from each party on any given committee, Cllr Newbury said: "It's a good idea to have such a group to scrutinise the ambulance service and I fully support the move but it should comply with the law if it is to go ahead."

Wiltshire County Council said: "Unfortunately Wiltshire County Council councillors did not vote unanimously to waive the requirements. Until this situation changes, we are not permitted to become a member of the committee."

It is possible the joint scrutiny committee could be set up without Wiltshire County Council's involvement.