Conservatives on Brentwood Council have hit out at the Lab/Lib coalition decision to exclude them from being part of the William Hunter Working Group.
The Group, chaired by Brentwood First Councillor, Russell Quirk has representation from every other party except the Conservatives.
Shadow Spokesman for Assets, Roger Hirst said, “The decision to exclude us does not sit very well with the claims by both the Chairman and Leader of the Council that they would be running an open and transparent administration. As the sole opposition group, holding 49% of all seats and with all other coalition groups represented, it can only be described as both puerile and undemocratic to exclude us. Just what have they got to fear?”
As a result, the Conservative Group is backing a motion*, submitted by Town Centre Brentwood West councillor, Will Russell to open up the working group to the Conservatives and give them places on the group proportionate to the number of councillors they have.
Will said, “A project of this significance deserves to have councillors from all parties working on it, in a clear, open and transparent way. Why Cllr Quirk feels the need to be so petty is beyond me. Not only are we the only party excluded but as the sole opposition party, the decision means there are no checks and balances on what he and the group are doing, which is plainly wrong but also worrying. This secret, clandestine approach begs the question, just what are they hiding?
The motion will be debated at the next Full Council meeting in October. Will added,“ I do hope the Lab / Lib coalition sees sense and does the decent thing by backing the motion and ensuring all parties have full representation and that the working group isn’t just made up of themselves.”
ENDS
Contacts:
Roger Hirst: 07785 366235 Roger.Hirst@brentwood.gov.uk
Will Russell: 07784 845593 Will.Russell@brentwood.gov.uk
*Motion:
“Members of Brentwood Borough Council believe that membership of the cross party William Hunter Way Working Group should have representation from all elected parties and not just those in the Administration. We agree that in the name of openness, transparency, scrutiny and democracy, the Conservatives should be included proportionate to the number of Council seats held. This will ensure fairness all round.”