‘Today is the day democracy died’: backlash at controversial meeting changes
were set the task to review parts of the authority’s constitution to see whether it was ‘operating effectively’ and speed up decision making. Since March this year, attempts have been made to change part of it – relating to how the authority’s full council meetings pan out – during committee meetings, in an effort to ‘streamline’ meetings.
Now, overall time for council questions will reduce from 60 minutes to 45 minutes, the 60-minute time limit for motions will drop to 45 minutes and the time spent debating an item will reduce. But a key element in the changes, continuously drawing ‘anti-democracy’ criticism from opposition members, is the removal of the verbal ‘supplementary’ questions during question time, replacing it with a written question-and-answer type response.
Speaking on the constitution updates in Thursday’s meeting, Broxtowe Independent councillor Steve Carr said: “Today is the day that democracy in Nottinghamshire died. ” Councillors are able to verbally ask cabinet members questions on their departments during these meetings, but these are submitted in advance, meaning the verbal response given by a cabinet member tends to be pre-written by a council officer.
The verbal supplementary question – which has now been removed – acted as an ‘add-on’ for opposition members, where they could ask a follow-up to their original question to gain clarification, detail or further scrutinise a topic – it was a verbal tool of holding the in-control party to account. Cllr Carr said the changes were a ‘dangerous precedent’ for the authority, saying: “An administration that received only 35 per cent of the vote is imposing constitutional changes that attempt to stifle scrutiny, opposition and alternative views that don’t fit in with Reform UK's ethos.
“Attempts to stifle opposition are set to backfire. Opposition is a bit like water, it will always find a way. I finish my speech with two words – expect resistance. ” Cllr Jody Stoll, cabinet member for communities and public health, said the changes will mean members will get a “far more complete” answer to their questions and they will be “more robust” and “more accurate”.
Cllr Teresa Cullen said: “People need to know this is the Reform way, to silence questions, to not allow people to know anything – it’s not good enough. ” Former Conservative leader of the authority, Cllr Sam Smith, called it “an erosion of democracy”, adding: “What on earth are you scared of? If your iPad can’t load what the officer’s going to send you in response to the supplementary questions?
” The Reform group on the authority have long maintained their ‘open door’ policy and that the changes are not an attempt to ‘stifle’ debate but to actually ‘streamline’ lengthy council meetings to ensure more council business gets done on time. Authority leader Cllr Mick Barton said: “We’re not getting rid of scrutiny, we’re not getting rid of democracy – we’re improving it.
“More people are going to be allowed to speak in this chamber, which is democracy for the people we represent, it’s that simple. ” Cllr Wendy Lukacs said residents were not paying their taxes to “watch scrapping like vultures” and to "point score". She added: “It is about being effective and efficient and getting business done which we are frequently not doing in these full council meetings.
“Reducing times for debate and increasing the overall time for constituency speeches empowers more members who don’t currently speak to raise issues and concerns in their wards that are important to their residents. ”
Nottinghamshire County Council Reform UK
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