Former Tory Mr Plews asked the following question at the last Rutland County
Council meeting– “As one of the Parish Ward Members for the (Oakham South
East Ward) does the Chairman agree that by not having any Council
Member representing either Oakham or Uppingham Towns on the
Cabinet, is the Cabinet system in the best Democratic interests of all
Residents in both Towns or Rutland?”
The Chairman invited the Leader, Mr Begy, to respond.
In response, Mr Begy thanked Mr Plews for his question which he had
also raised at the Parish Council Forum. Mr Begy stated that when
members stood for election it was to Rutland County Council and to
represent the people of Rutland on all matters affecting the County. Ward
Members needed to ensure their electorate’s issues were raised and were
heard. However, votes should be taken in consideration of Rutland as a
whole. Members had every opportunity to represent their Wards and in
particular, be involved in the direction of Oakham and Uppingham by
being elected to the town council and/or the town partnership. Mr Begy
referred to his involvement in recommending the composition of the
Cabinet since 2003 and assured members that members had never been
selected on the basis of Ward but rather on ability, experience and
availability. He explained that when Mr Plews was asked to step down
from the Cabinet earlier this year, it was not because he was an Oakham
member but because he wanted to review the Portfolio needs of the
Cabinet.
In his supplementary question, Mr Plews referred to the vast number of
portfolios handled by five members of the Cabinet and queried how
democratic that was for Oakham and Uppingham bearing in mind none of
the Cabinet members represented those Wards? He believed it was a
“village Cabinet, not democratic” and the Leader was not listening. In
response, Mr Begy reiterated the Cabinet’s membership had been
reduced in view of budgetary constraints, member availability and bearing
in mind the Council was now politicised.
Council meeting– “As one of the Parish Ward Members for the (Oakham South
East Ward) does the Chairman agree that by not having any Council
Member representing either Oakham or Uppingham Towns on the
Cabinet, is the Cabinet system in the best Democratic interests of all
Residents in both Towns or Rutland?”
The Chairman invited the Leader, Mr Begy, to respond.
In response, Mr Begy thanked Mr Plews for his question which he had
also raised at the Parish Council Forum. Mr Begy stated that when
members stood for election it was to Rutland County Council and to
represent the people of Rutland on all matters affecting the County. Ward
Members needed to ensure their electorate’s issues were raised and were
heard. However, votes should be taken in consideration of Rutland as a
whole. Members had every opportunity to represent their Wards and in
particular, be involved in the direction of Oakham and Uppingham by
being elected to the town council and/or the town partnership. Mr Begy
referred to his involvement in recommending the composition of the
Cabinet since 2003 and assured members that members had never been
selected on the basis of Ward but rather on ability, experience and
availability. He explained that when Mr Plews was asked to step down
from the Cabinet earlier this year, it was not because he was an Oakham
member but because he wanted to review the Portfolio needs of the
Cabinet.
In his supplementary question, Mr Plews referred to the vast number of
portfolios handled by five members of the Cabinet and queried how
democratic that was for Oakham and Uppingham bearing in mind none of
the Cabinet members represented those Wards? He believed it was a
“village Cabinet, not democratic” and the Leader was not listening. In
response, Mr Begy reiterated the Cabinet’s membership had been
reduced in view of budgetary constraints, member availability and bearing
in mind the Council was now politicised.
Mr Plews did not receive an answer to his second question.
At 19:28, in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 50, Disorderly
Conduct by Members, the Chairman adjourned the meeting.
Former Tory Plews Says County Council Controlled by a Military Junter:
First Audio Recording of Rutland County Council
http://martinbrookes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/former-tory-says-county-council.html
Former Tory Plews Says County Council Controlled by a Military Junter:
First Audio Recording of Rutland County Council
http://martinbrookes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/former-tory-says-county-council.html
