Saturday, October 28, 2006
28/10/2006 Council Leader refuses to debate Affordable Housing with Lib Dems
Saisbury District Council's Conservative Leader, Cllr Richard Britton, has refused to allow an open and free debate on the Council's record on Affordable Housing.
In an exchange of e-mails, published on this website today, he says he will not allow Cllr Paul Sample, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Salisbury District Council to speak in a State of the District Debate on Affordable Housing later this year. The exchange of e-mails has been going on for some weeks (and are published in reverse order - and unedited - here).
A link to the Liberal Democrat policy on housing is provided here: http://www.libdems.org.uk/media/documents/policies/policy_papers/69affordablehomesinsafer,greenercommunities.pdf.
You won't get an opportunity to hear about how the Liberal Democrats will provide more affordable housing in South Wiltshire, from Cllr Sample:- but you will get an opportunity to hear the Conservative point of view! That's democracy, folks!
SAMPLE: What a shame that you are frightened of debating things with me.
BRITTON: No Paul. I well remember at last year’s event Kevin had to intervene to stop you making political statements. He said something like “This is not the forum to be trying to make political comments”. It seems unlikely that any intervention you might make at my event would be any different. I am planning for my event to be an intensely practical day offering real, practical, down-to-earth information, advice and guidance to those looking to solve a housing need or problem. Your particular kind of contribution would not be helpful in furthering that objective.
SAMPLE: Richard, Will you allow me to speak at the State of the District debate, or not?
BRITTON: Good Morning Paul, According to the Constititution I am responsible for the content and conduct of only two types of meetings: Cabinet and one State of the District debate each year. As far as Cabinet is concerned I invariably allow any Councillor who attends to speak. (And by the way the media does still attend.) Outside Cabinet meetings any questions which reach Cabinet are answered fully. I am not aware of anyone getting “the brush off”. If they have been so treated they only need to refer the matter to me and I shall ensure their queries are dealt with fully and promptly. I am always disappointed when questions are asked of Cabinet members (either in Cabinet or Full Council) by people who have clearly not read the papers. Nevertheless questions are dealt with fully and in detail. With regard to the State of the District Debate, if you are asking me to replace Affordable Housing with a more general debate the answer is No. The subject is far too important to be replaced by a more general debating session which some Councillors will only use as a political grandstanding opportunity instead of making a constructive contribution to the District’s affairs – and particularly the business of helping people find homes. How you run the State of the District debate when you are Leader is a matter for you. Outside those meetings for which I am responsible I can only repeat my view that formally the Constitution contains all the mechanisms necessary to allow any Councillor to raise any subject of concern. Additionally I will contiunue to ensure that questions raised with Cabinet members continue to be given proper attention.
SAMPLE: Richard, Why are you disappointed? I raised the issue with David because (as CEO) he is my advisor on matters relating to the Constitution, not you. I agree with your comments about affordable housing and I welcome a debate. Are you going to let me speak at your State of the District debate, then? Richard, there are lots of issues facing the District. Members of the Council, and the public, should have the opportunity to have an annual wide ranging debate which allows and enables them to speak about issues of concern. You have chosen to go for Panel discussions. I have asked David to tell me how, under the constitution, that could happen. Clearly you would prefer one debate on one subject, chosen by you. I would favour an open debate, involving all members of the Council, about whatever THEY want to raise. As Leader of the Council, I will allow that to happen. Are you going to allow that? Your comment about the Cabinet is wide of the mark. People don't attend because their views are ignored. Even the press have stopped going. That should be telling you something. Obviously not. Whenever I raise issues with Cabinet members I get a brush off. I've heard the same from many others, including several within your own group. Your final point is just silly. Clearly you think anything which even mildly disagrees with your point of view is political point scoring. Maybe you would reflect on some of your recent leaflets and your (still unprinted) letters of reply to comments made by me in the local press. I agree that residents deserve something better - and they'll get the opportunity next May.
BRITTON: David Crook has suggested that it would be more appropriate for me to reply direct to your questions of him regarding the State of the District debate. I’m disappointed you didn’t feel you could address the question to me personally. Affordable Housing is high on our political agenda and, as I hope you will agree, it is entirely right that the annual State of the District debate be given over to that really important subject. I am also arranging for the event to be linked to other displays and presentations by appropriate bodies – aimed especially at First Time Buyers. I do not wish such a vitally important event to be replaced by something less focussed and, as far as homeless citizens are concerned, less useful. I am sure you would agree. I am entirely satisfied that the Constitution provides ample mechanisms for Councillors to raise any questions of concern either in Full Council or at Cabinet. I am reassured that few such matters are raised and that so few Councillors attend Cabinet or send written questions. Outside the formal mechanisms I encourage Councillors to raise questions at any time either with me or the appropriate Cabinet member. I hope you will agree that it is more important for the routine administration of the district’s affairs to proceed smoothly and effectively, rather than allow ourselves to be distracted by attempts at political point-scoring simply because there is an election in six months’ time. I believe our population deserves better.
In an exchange of e-mails, published on this website today, he says he will not allow Cllr Paul Sample, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Salisbury District Council to speak in a State of the District Debate on Affordable Housing later this year. The exchange of e-mails has been going on for some weeks (and are published in reverse order - and unedited - here).
A link to the Liberal Democrat policy on housing is provided here: http://www.libdems.org.uk/media/documents/policies/policy_papers/69affordablehomesinsafer,greenercommunities.pdf.
You won't get an opportunity to hear about how the Liberal Democrats will provide more affordable housing in South Wiltshire, from Cllr Sample:- but you will get an opportunity to hear the Conservative point of view! That's democracy, folks!
SAMPLE: What a shame that you are frightened of debating things with me.
BRITTON: No Paul. I well remember at last year’s event Kevin had to intervene to stop you making political statements. He said something like “This is not the forum to be trying to make political comments”. It seems unlikely that any intervention you might make at my event would be any different. I am planning for my event to be an intensely practical day offering real, practical, down-to-earth information, advice and guidance to those looking to solve a housing need or problem. Your particular kind of contribution would not be helpful in furthering that objective.
SAMPLE: Richard, Will you allow me to speak at the State of the District debate, or not?
BRITTON: Good Morning Paul, According to the Constititution I am responsible for the content and conduct of only two types of meetings: Cabinet and one State of the District debate each year. As far as Cabinet is concerned I invariably allow any Councillor who attends to speak. (And by the way the media does still attend.) Outside Cabinet meetings any questions which reach Cabinet are answered fully. I am not aware of anyone getting “the brush off”. If they have been so treated they only need to refer the matter to me and I shall ensure their queries are dealt with fully and promptly. I am always disappointed when questions are asked of Cabinet members (either in Cabinet or Full Council) by people who have clearly not read the papers. Nevertheless questions are dealt with fully and in detail. With regard to the State of the District Debate, if you are asking me to replace Affordable Housing with a more general debate the answer is No. The subject is far too important to be replaced by a more general debating session which some Councillors will only use as a political grandstanding opportunity instead of making a constructive contribution to the District’s affairs – and particularly the business of helping people find homes. How you run the State of the District debate when you are Leader is a matter for you. Outside those meetings for which I am responsible I can only repeat my view that formally the Constitution contains all the mechanisms necessary to allow any Councillor to raise any subject of concern. Additionally I will contiunue to ensure that questions raised with Cabinet members continue to be given proper attention.
SAMPLE: Richard, Why are you disappointed? I raised the issue with David because (as CEO) he is my advisor on matters relating to the Constitution, not you. I agree with your comments about affordable housing and I welcome a debate. Are you going to let me speak at your State of the District debate, then? Richard, there are lots of issues facing the District. Members of the Council, and the public, should have the opportunity to have an annual wide ranging debate which allows and enables them to speak about issues of concern. You have chosen to go for Panel discussions. I have asked David to tell me how, under the constitution, that could happen. Clearly you would prefer one debate on one subject, chosen by you. I would favour an open debate, involving all members of the Council, about whatever THEY want to raise. As Leader of the Council, I will allow that to happen. Are you going to allow that? Your comment about the Cabinet is wide of the mark. People don't attend because their views are ignored. Even the press have stopped going. That should be telling you something. Obviously not. Whenever I raise issues with Cabinet members I get a brush off. I've heard the same from many others, including several within your own group. Your final point is just silly. Clearly you think anything which even mildly disagrees with your point of view is political point scoring. Maybe you would reflect on some of your recent leaflets and your (still unprinted) letters of reply to comments made by me in the local press. I agree that residents deserve something better - and they'll get the opportunity next May.
BRITTON: David Crook has suggested that it would be more appropriate for me to reply direct to your questions of him regarding the State of the District debate. I’m disappointed you didn’t feel you could address the question to me personally. Affordable Housing is high on our political agenda and, as I hope you will agree, it is entirely right that the annual State of the District debate be given over to that really important subject. I am also arranging for the event to be linked to other displays and presentations by appropriate bodies – aimed especially at First Time Buyers. I do not wish such a vitally important event to be replaced by something less focussed and, as far as homeless citizens are concerned, less useful. I am sure you would agree. I am entirely satisfied that the Constitution provides ample mechanisms for Councillors to raise any questions of concern either in Full Council or at Cabinet. I am reassured that few such matters are raised and that so few Councillors attend Cabinet or send written questions. Outside the formal mechanisms I encourage Councillors to raise questions at any time either with me or the appropriate Cabinet member. I hope you will agree that it is more important for the routine administration of the district’s affairs to proceed smoothly and effectively, rather than allow ourselves to be distracted by attempts at political point-scoring simply because there is an election in six months’ time. I believe our population deserves better.
