South Tyneside Independents» Democracy

Democracy under threat

Oct 29th, 2009 | By admin | Category: Democracy

As a result of a number of resolutions and questions put to the Council from the Independent Alliance on how the Council meetings are conducted a commission (working party) was set up. For 15 months Cllr Khan and Cllr Jane Branley attended these meetings contributing to every one.

Recently the final report was presented to the commission before going to the Cabinet with recommendations for action. The meeting was packed with councillors some of whom had never been to any of the previous meetings.

Cllr George Elsom (‘Real’ Independent, Cleadon Park) who only attended a handful of meetings) and Cllr David Potts (Conservative, Cleadon & East Boldon) who failed to attend any of the previous meetings) led the attack on the commission’s findings and they were ably assisted by deputy Labour Council leader Alan Kerr (who is not even on the committee).

They rejected:

Council meetings being recorded or webcast
The public being allowed to ask more questions
Leader’s question time
Cabinet question time
Cabinet minutes going to full Council

Once again every group on the Council bar the Independent Alliance voted for the Council to be less rather than more open.

The Independent Alliance is determined to hold this Council to account despite what the Labour Group wants. This appalling rejection of open democracy is exactly why we will continue to question every move the Labour cabinet and its paid lackeys make.