The communities and local government (CLG) committee has been criticised for failing to publicise its visit to Greater Manchester.

Some councillors claimed they were not told about the meeting in Manchester Town Hall on Monday, which was not available to watch online.

Labour councillor Suzanne Richards, who chairs Manchester City Council's economy scrutiny committee, tweeted it would have been ‘good to contribute if given chance'.

Cllr Kevin Peel said he found out about the session on Twitter an hour before it was due to start and ‘ran down'.

He tweeted it was a ‘real shame many people didn't know' about the session.

Member of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities' scrutiny pool, Cllr Matt Strong, said: ‘This kind of thing feeds into people's concerns that it's all happening behind closed doors and that there's a lack of accountability.

‘How can Parliament say they're hearing from local residents about devolution but not actually invite people?

‘Councillors [are] on the frontline of devolution, helping to ensure it works for local people.'

Chief executive officer of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, Neil McInroy, tweeted: ‘It's typical of Westminster, whose own processes are arcane and archaic.'

Labour MP for Ashton, Droylsden and Failsworth, Angela Rayner, said she had raised the fact that the wider circle of councillors were not informed about the visit.

CLG committee member Helen Hayes said she was unaware that councillors had not been notified and also promised to raise the issue.

A CLG spokesman said: ‘Details of the event were communicated on the committee's website, on Twitter, and by a mail out to individuals and organisations in the Greater Manchester region who had previously expressed an interest in Parliament or CLG. 

‘The committee also held a public Q&A, which was fully subscribed, prior to the session to hear from Greater Manchester citizens about their views on current devolution plans. 

‘The committee's Devolution Bill inquiry is ongoing. The committee welcomes evidence submissions on these issues including from Greater Manchester residents unable to attend the Q&A.'