Dear All,
Redbridge council will look to change public speaking rules TOMORROW 07/01/20 making it harder for community activists to speak at council meetings about builds like Tesco Goodmayes. It is
- restricting the same or similar question from being asked more than once every six months. This potentially means the council are able to provide an unsatisfactory response to questions and be free from answering it again.
- There will be no council debate on deputations which are normally proposed re planning decisions
These rules will make planning objections a lot more difficult. We must fight this.
THIS WILL SEVERELY RESTRICT THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF COUNCILLORS ESPECIALLY THOSE ON THE PLANNING COMMITTEE. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO QUESTION COUNCILLORS RESTRICTED - THEY WORK FOR THE RESIDENTS AND ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO US.
A similar thing was attempted in Milton Keynes but failed to pass due to public outcry. One of the planning officers involved now works for Redbridge planning. The relevant articles are below:
Redbidge:
https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/politics/public-participation-redbridge-council-1-6447882
Milton Keynes:
https://xplain.org.uk/2016/09/30/council-officers-fail-to-impose-gagging-orders-on-milton-keynes-for-now/
To make matters worse the council has made the decision to sneak this through on the same day in overlapping meetings meaning residents cannot attend both meetings if they wanted to (Tuesday 07/01/20).
- 7.15 p.m. Cabinet
- 8.00 p.m. General Purposes Committee
- Rule amendments links are -> 1 and 2
- Full calendar is here
Please contact Helena Tredgold (Democratic Services Officer)
Telephone 020 8708 2203
E-mail: helena.tredgold@redbridge.gov.uk
stating your objections to both these meetings happening at the same time together with your anger at the amendments of the public participation rules.
Thank you for your continuing support