THE opposition leader at Bradford Council has assembled three teams to examine the hot topics of schooling, social care and devolution.

Conservative group leader Councillor Simon Cooke said these were the "three biggest issues in the Council" and he wanted to put them under the microscope.

He said: "We are trying to apply ourselves to what we think are the really big issues facing the Council at the moment."

The teams will aim to hold the Council's Labour leadership to account by coming up with alternative policies in all these areas.

Cllr Cooke said the education group, made up of five Conservative councillors, would look in-depth at two main issues - the district's poor standards of education, and its school places shortage.

He said another group, made up of four or five members, would examine health and social care services.

Cllr Cooke said the third group, made up of four Tory councillors, would tackle the topical issue of devolving powers to the region.

He expects his three policy groups to examine how the authority should approach all these challenges, and he hoped they would be ready to put forward some proposals by the autumn.

It comes as more details emerged of who will do what on the Labour-led authority's decision-making Executive committee.

The biggest change will be adult social care and children's social care - previously overseen by two different councillors - brought together under one portfolio.

Councillor Ralph Berry will be the person in charge of the new health and social care portfolio.

He said there were real advantages to bringing the two together, as it would help the social care teams work closer for the benefit of people using the services.

He said: "One of the issues we need to address is the transition into adulthood and beyond for people with complex needs, going from children's services into adult services."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe looks set to add education to her employment, skills and culture responsibilities, while Councillor Imran Khan is taking on environment and sport. Councillor Arshad Hussain is looking at safer and stronger communities, and Councillor Val Slater, now deputy council leader, will retain her portfolio of housing, transport and planning.

The new roles will be rubber-stamped when the Executive next meets.

The Conservative group has also revealed its shadow executive members. These are: Cllr Cooke for corporate matters, Councillor John Pennington for regeneration, employment, skills and culture, Councillor Andrew Mallinson for safer and stronger communities, Councillor Martin Smith for housing, planning and transport, Councillor Mike Gibbons for health and children's social care, Councillor Debbie Davies for education, Councillor Jackie Whiteley for adult social care and Councillor Rebecca Poulsen for environment and sport.