Phil Briscoe - on timewasting in the council chamber

By John Hill on July 9, 2008 1:00 AM |

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Phil Briscoe is a Conservative councillor for Blackwall and Cubitt Town

Two weeks ago, I attended a full meeting of Tower Hamlets Council, one of only six opportunities each year for councillors and the public to raise questions and motions.

This latest meeting was typical for a Labour-controlled council that shies away from answers, dodges debate and runs for cover at the very mention of public scrutiny.

Many residents were sent home with their questions unanswered after travelling to the town hall and waiting for four hours.

Of the 26 questions tabled by councillors, only eight were answered and not one of the 12 submitted motions was debated. This, despite invoking standing orders to extend the time of the meeting, which was unanimously rejected by Labour councillors.

Labour cabinet members made time to discuss the football results and launch political attacks on the public, while local policing, planning consultation, and leaseholder rights did not warrant their time.

Contrast this with last week, when I attended the Local Government Association conference. Councillors from across the country and the political spectrum were united in calls for more localism.

Empowering local councils to deliver more services and exercise more powers would increase accountability and democratic involvement, a theme our Labour councillors in Tower Hamlets would do well to listen to.

They could start by opening up council meetings to fully involve the residents who put them in office.