Fears that some council meetings could become 'undemocratic'

LEADER MOVES AWAY FROM Q&A APPROACH

- By LAUREN MONAGHAN Local democracy reporter

THERE are claims Nottinghamshire County Council could become less democratic after the authority's new leader chose not to answer any opposition questions during a public cabinet meeting.

The new Reform UK administration at the council held a public cabinet meeting on Monday, the first since the party won control of the authority following the May 1 local elections.

The meeting heard about the group's plans for a comprehensive financial and efficiency review of the council’s spending, as well as a review of the county's roads and pavements, both of which are expected to be completed by autumn.

Before the meeting's discussions, council leader Councillor Mick Barton (Reform) opened by saying: “In the [meeting's] debate, once a report's been introduced, I will then ask any opposition member who has made an agreed request to speak to an item to join us at the table [at the meeting]. I say this as an opportunity for the opposition members to input, share their views, rather than this taking a question-and-answer approach.”