Fewer council ward meetings is 'undermining democracy'

BIRMINGHAM City Council has been accused of undermining democracy after a divisive change.

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The Labour-run council had to make an enormous wave of cuts during the past year and a half as it battled a huge black hole in its finances.

One of the ‘savings’ included in this year’s budget was to reduce ward forum meetings, which provide a platform for residents to gather and focus on issues important to people in their local area.

It’s also one of the ways that they can get involved in the decisions that affect their neighbourhood.

The decision to cut the number of meetings was raised by frustrated opposition councillors at a finance scrutiny meeting. “It just undermines local democracy,’ Cllr Alex Yip (Con, Sutton Wylde Green) claimed. “I think all councillors will stand opposed to that.”