LIB DEMS CONDEMN 'DEVILISH' CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

20.5.03

Liberal Democrat councillors accused the Labour-run Council of squeezing the life out of local democracy following the passing of parts of the new constitution that will effectively reduce the oppositions ability to hold the Council to account.

Lib Dem whip, Cllr Stephen Gilbert was incensed by what he called a "devilish" set of reforms that were forced through the committee without allowing opposition councillors a proper period of time to consult. The reforms included reducing the amount of written questions to one per councillor and banning written and oral questions from Extraordinary meetings.

He argued that by reducing the amount of questions that councillor asked the Council was further detaching itself from those it represents, reducing its accountability and legitimacy. The Victoria Climbie case was highlighted by Cllr Gilbert as a prime example of how effective questions are in bringing to account the Executive on serious matters reserved for Extraordinary meetings.

Cllr Gilbert (Fortis Green) commented:

"When the administration is failing to deliver proper services and some departments are haemorrhaging money, it is surely more important than ever that the policies and actions of those that are making decisions within the Council are properly open to scrutiny and can be held to account.

"At a time when the public are properly sceptical of its politicians, these measures will do nothing to address the lack of confidence the public has in councillors."

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