Leader rounds on rivals over ‘stifling’ claim

COUNCIL leaders have been accused of “stifling legitimate debate” after a change in the rules over how motions are debated at monthly meetings.

By The Newsroom

Published 7th Sep 2012, 07:00 BST

Both Liberal Democrat and Green groups on Sheffield Council yesterday said the alterations could lead to them being “shut out” and unable to raise the concerns of constituents

But Labour, which controls the authority, said its new plans actually allowed opponents to speak first at meetings more often.

The Lib Dems and Greens claimed that under the old rules, the leading group had the first 40 minutes of a meeting, before it was thrown open.

But council leader Julie Dore said her new rules, which were passed on Wednesday, would mean Lib Dems or Greens were given first motion at three out of every eight meetings.

She added: “I think most people will find it astonishing that all the Lib Dems and Greens have to talk about at the moment is how meetings are run in the Town Hall.”