Let the public speak!

Yesterday's Parish Council announcement about the Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting on Thursday contained what many might believe is an extraordinary statement. It said:

"As with all Parish Council meetings members of the public are welcome to attend and there will be a public forum at the start of the meeting. In order to devote as much time as possible to the main business of the meeting this will be limited to 15 minutes in total."

In a nutshell, the Parish Council seems to be limiting the public's right to have their say to less than any normal parish council meeting where the Public Forum often lasts longer than fifteen minutes.

It's as if the parish council is trying to stifle debate on an absolutely critical issue for the village. After all, parish councillors have been considering this issue for about three years yet they want to limit the Forum, and the public's only real chance to influence the decision one way or the other, to such a short time.

Admittedly, the announcement does add: "There will be a further opportunity for residents to clarify points/ask questions later in the meeting." But that could well be too late in the day, depending on how the meeting is conducted and when votes are taken.

Many are supportive of taking this opportunity to take over these vital facilities and run them locally. Others are concerned about any additional expenditure that might be involved and so called 'double taxation'. All views need to be aired and the public should have longer than fifteen minutes to do so.

If the parish council is interested in democracy and this community having a real say in how this decision is to be made, the parish council should think again and let the public speak.

Bob Cartwright
Editor, AudlemOnline

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.