Call for cabinet meetings move rejected (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)
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Calls for Cotswold District Council's cabinet to hold meetings outside Cirencester have been rejected by leader Cllr Lynden Stowe
12:00pm Monday 17th September 2012 in News By Ian Craig
CALLS for meetings of Cotswold District Council 's Conservative-run cabinet to be held outside Cirencester have been dismissed.
At last week's meeting of the cabinet, Liberal Democrat campaigner Danny Loveridge, who lives in Mickleton, near Chipping Campden, argued that residents across the Cotswolds felt disconnected from the decision-making of the cabinet.
He asked cabinet leader Cllr Lynden Stowe (Con, Campden-Vale) to support the idea of holding meetings elsewhere in the region.
Cllr Stowe, who also lives in Mickleton, and travels more than 30 miles to Cirencester to attend council meetings, said he was disappointed by claims that Cotswold residents did not have faith in councillors or officers.
Adding that all council meetings are held in public so residents were able to attend and scrutinise decision-making process, he explained the issue had been debated in the past, and the conclusion had been that the council's Cirencester offices were the most appropriate place to hold meetings.
“Given past experience, it has been concluded that attendance is more likely to be based on the business to be transacted rather than the venue or time of the meeting,” he added.
Responding, Mr Loveridge disagreed with Cllr Stowe's arguments.
“I'm disappointed by the response, especially as many members of the public have expressed interest in attending meetings outside Cirencester,” he said “Attendance at current meetings is not an indication of public interest,” he continued, explaining that many residents are unable to attend due to work commitments or travel costs.
“With dedication and a determination to strengthen local democracy my suggestion is a practical one - moving cabinet meetings around the district and supporting a new, renewed push for public participation would go some way to solve these problems.
“Bearing this in mind, what price does the leader put on democracy?”
Cllr Stowe reiterated his point that there were no plans to hold council meetings outside Cirencester.
Comments(4)
Crispin Mount
says...
9:13pm Mon 17 Sep 12
With the Leaders Allowance, his Allowance from Glos County Council AND of course the £37,000 of declared biz from Cotswold Water Park businesses for printing, it would appear he is very keen to position himself as doing us all a favour by curbing his mileage claims.
Tin hats may not be enough - so it's a good job CDC still own that air raid shelter in Cirencester. It might prove useful.
Susie Clark
says...
7:39pm Thu 20 Sep 12
One more question - who thinks that Crispin's comments about Cllr. Stowe are getting rather stale after - how many years ? They are a bit same old, same old , don't you think ? Time to move on , Crispin old chap.
Olly Cromwell
says...
8:28pm Thu 20 Sep 12
I decided some months ago that the worst thing you can call Susie Clark, quite frankly, is Susie Clark.
Council Taxpayer says...
7:41pm Mon 17 Sep 12
His group recently refused to reduce this perk to the lower rate recommended by HMRC.
I calculate that this would be a £30 expenses claim for the round trip though I sincerely hope that the Leader doesn't actually claim this.
Maybe he can tell us if he does.
A senior Cotswold Tory has also admitted that the administration is seen as "the enemy" by towns and villages in the district.
Perhaps Cllr Stowe and his chums suspect they will get less flak if they hide away in their bunker at Trinity Road with their tin hats on.