9 July 2013
At the Full Council meeting today at County Hall in Chelmsford, a Motion to introduce a "Have Your Say" slot at the start of all ECC meetings (except where confidential or personal matters are under discussion) was voted down on what was apparently a whipped vote of the Tory Group, with some UKIP councillors also rejecting the proposal.
The Motion had been tabled by Cllr. Harris (Labour) and seconded by Cllr. Abbott (Green) and had been carefully written between the 2 councillors to reflect similar public speaking opportunities at other Essex authorities. It was also backed by evidence that at neighbouring Suffolk County Council, residents can ask questions at all their main meetings.
The Motion was backed by all Members of the Labour, Green and Lib Dem Groups.
The Leader of the Council, David Finch urged his fellow Tories to reject the Motion on the basis that he would set up a Scrutiny process to look into the issues.
Cllr. James Abbott, Green Group Leader said
" Today we heard a lot of spurious arguments from the Tories as to why allowing the public to speak at meetings was a bad idea.
Increasingly it looks more like they are just alarmed at the prospect of residents being able to ask them unscripted questions.
What the Tories seem to forget is that none of us on Essex County Council are there without the votes - and the taxes - and our residents.
Essex residents have a basic and undeniable right to be able to address their councillors in the decision making forums of the council.
It was ironic that at the very start of the meeting today the Bishop of Bradwell addressed the Council and quoted a C17th Essex figure who had said "All people should have a say in Government".
Four centuries later the Tories at County Hall still want to deny Essex residents the most basic of facilities - the right to address their councillors.
This is an administration out of touch with the public. It is an administration which wants to cling to a culture of "we know best" where residents are ignored quite routinely in public consultations and which requires any residents that do attend important meetings such as Cabinet and Full Council to be silent for the same reason."
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