The arbitrary closure of a Council Meeting by Shropshire’s Administration after only 10 minutes has been described as a ‘travesty of democracy’ and a ‘farce’ by councillors taking part
Nigel Hartin, Leader of the Lib Dem Group, said “To describe this as a travesty of democracy was an understatement. It was a farce of their own making – first to allow a debate and then close it down after 10 minutes.
“The mystifying thing is want are they frightened of? They know full well this is an issue of grave concern – 30,000 signatures were handed into the PCT on Monday. Why on earth could they not let Shropshire Councillors discuss the matter the way that Shropshire Town Council and Telford Council have done?”
“The Attempts by the Administration to close this debate is symptomatic of a wider attempt to stifle debate on the Council as a whole.”
FUTURE OF SHROPSHIRE HEALTH CARE
In relation to today’s debate:
DEMOCRACY
Cllr Heather Kidd added “It is grossly undemocratic to seek to prevent elected members to debate issues of such importance. Councillors are elected to stand up for their communities on the key issues of the day. What is the point of having elected members if they can’t represent residents on crucial issues such as this?”
“What is worse is that it appears that the Administration has intentions to further limit debate by not allowing full Council to debate, in future, issues already decided upon by the Cabinet.”
Anders Hansen of the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors added “This is an absolutely appalling. Our Association will be writing to Shropshire’s Chief Executive on this issue. This type of behaviour cannot go unchallenged.”
The Liberal Democrats will be making a formal complaint to the Council’s chief Executive and almost certainly to the District Auditor – the local Government spending watchdog.