Richard Baum

I have written on here a few times now about the Tory Executive which runs Bury Council getting a bit carried away with their power, and severely limiting the legitimate rights of the public and the Council to question them. Whilst I accept happily that they run the Council, their activities since taking control have done them little credit, nor have they helped the institution of the Council.

First the Tories restricted the rights of the public to ask questions at Council meetings. Where before there was a requirement of a couple of days advanced notice, and supplementary questions were permitted, now there is a very long advance notice requirement, and no supplementaries are allowed. Then the Tories restricted Councillors’ rights to ask questions at Full Council. The advance notice requirement was extended, and a short time limit was imposed, denying those whose questions aren’t reached in time the opportunity of a supplementary. And then, the Tories restricted the rights of Councillors to ask questions at Executive meetings. Now, only those directly to do with their own ward are allowed.

I don’t know why the Tories have done this. It looks to me like they’re reluctant to face up to their own actions or be questioned on them. It’s not democratic, and it’s not right.

Last night’s Executive meeting was, by all accounts, a new low. The Conservatives were presented with a report from a Scrutiny panel recommending caution and a halt in proceedings related to elderly persons’ homes. The report was missing a number of important points which needed clarifying. The recommendation from Scrutiny was made by members from all parties (Tories included), and the Scrutiny Commission itself was chaired by a Tory. Despite this, the Executive rejected the proposal to delay, and opted to proceed with a report devoid of all the facts.

This is not just another shocking example of the Conservative Council Executive putting its own power before reason, but it’s a massive kick in the teeth for the scrutiny process. In a democracy, all elected members should have the chance to scrutinise those in charge. By ignoring a simple, reasonable request for a delay so that facts can be considered in the round, the Executive have made a decision which severely affects the Council’s ability to properly scrutinise them. It’s a huge blow to the ideals of democracy at the Council, and may severely impair the ability of democratically elected Councillors to hold the Executive to account.

We weren’t asking for policy to be changed, we were just asking for the Executive to hold fire for a while until the issue could be properly considered. They said no and carried on regardless, and that was a sad decision for Bury.

Rick