Councillors' 'repression' fury over unheard motions

LABOUR AND TORIES ACCUSED OF 'OBSTRUCTING DEMOCRACY'

- By ABIGAIL MARLOW

TENSIONS are rising at Kirklees Council as independent councillors accuse Labour and the Tories of “obstructing the democratic process” - although the two groups believe they have acted in the public’s interest.

At last week’s Full Council meeting, 12 motions, covering issues such as firework use, disability benefit reform, violence against women and girls, and the council's procurement policy in light of the conflict in the Middle East were on the agenda. Some have been on the agenda for several months.

During the meeting, a vote was held at the request of Cllr Cathy Scott (Community Alliance, Dewsbury East), to determine whether motions should be brought forward in the agenda but this fell, with Labour and Conservative groups voting against. The Community Alliance, Independents, Greens and Liberal Democrats voted in favour.

A further vote, proposed by Leader of the Conservative Group, Cllr David Hall (Liversedge and Gomersal), took place later in the meeting on whether to extend the time dedicated to hearing questions from elected members. This was voted through by Labour and the Conservatives and saw time run out before any motions were reached.

This is not the first time motions have gone unheard in Kirklees and frustration is growing among several councillors.