Green councillors react with dismay to Labour-run Brighton & Hove City Council’s latest plan to introduce a ‘cabinet’ decision-making system.
Labour wants a handful of powerful councillors to take most decisions rather than the more open committee system that has operated for decades according to news outlet Brighton and Hove News.
Green convenor and leader of the opposition Cllr Steve Davis said, ““This a hugely disappointing decision by Labour, but sadly not a surprising one.
“Switching to a regressive system which shuts out opposition voices and drastically reduces opportunity for public engagement, is a clear power-grab by Labour.
“Since securing a majority last May – a majority it is worth noting that was only achieved with less than half the votes cast in the city – Labour has seemed determined to limit the opportunity for opposition councillors to scrutinise decision making.
“Once the move to a cabinet system is confirmed, the likelihood is that decisions taken on the future of the city will now be taken by a handful of Labour councillors.
“That is a further backward step following previous changes which limited the ability of opposition councillors – councillors who collectively represent more than half the voters in this city – to table notices of motion or influence council proceedings.
“This decision effectively blocks opposition councillors – and presumably a large number of Labour backbenchers – from actively participating in town hall proceedings.
“The upshot of this should be clear to Labour leadership and residents alike: every decision taken by the council, every cut to a valued service, and every unpopular policy is on Labour.”
Green councillor Chloë Goldsmith added, “Switching to a regressive system which shuts out opposition voices and drastically reduces opportunity for public engagement, is a clear power-grab by Labour. They have absolutely no mandate for this and should not move forward without a referendum.”
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Brighton and Hove News: https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2024/02/21/labour-sets-out-plans-to-scrap-multi-party-committees-and-move-to-cabinet-system/