Cllr Elgood

Proposed changes to council meeting have been branded "undemocratic" by the Lib Dems. The changes include a 9pm cut off point for meetings, changes to councillor's questions to limit the opportunity for technical questioning, limits to the number of motions and reduced speaking times.

Speaking at a full council meeting on the proposals, Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Paul Elgood said:
"These changes will undermine democracy and fail the residents of the city. The full council meeting should be open and accessible to allow debate and questioning.  These changes will stifle democracy and reduce the opportunities to hold the executive to account."

The proposals were supported by Labour and Conservative Councillors, who united to vote them through.

Cllr Warren Morgan, Chief Whip of the Labour Group, said:
"I believe that people in the City would rather see us out in the communities that we represent than in endless town hall meetings, but we would like to see any changes monitored and reviewed."

Green Group Convenor Cllr Bill Randall said:
"Working in unison, the Tories and Labour have forced through changes that will, in effect, gag local Cllrs. There can be no doubt Greens are the only real opposition to the Tories in this city.
 
"Greens believe elected local Cllrs should have every opportunity to question the administration, to raise issues of importance to the city and to debate matters of concern to local residents.
 
"These changes will mean a less open, less transparent city council. I'm really disappointed to see Labour and Tory Cllrs working hand-in-glove to stifle local democracy."

For more information about the Liberal Democrats view:
www.brighton-hovelibdems.org.uk