SEEMS the council made a start on improving their democracy on Tuesday, changing their standing orders to allow the leader to take verbal questions.
I am rather flummoxed as to why the previous system was dropped. Not only that, cabinet members are excluded from being questioned.
The old system gave the committee chairman a chance in moving their minutes, for ordinary members to ask questions on them. Some minutes took hours to be passed but it was all open to the public.
Now they are immune to criticism and it seems like the actual council meeting is now a big farce.
The cabinet system may speed things up but is it democratic?
I would love to see the council open again but for the time being, you can forget about the city of democracy!
Jim Dyer
Stockton Road
Newport
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here