Following the decision of Michael Hadwen, the Leader of the new Reform UK administration at Suffolk County Council, to legally challenge the Government’s decision about Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), he decided to organise an Extraordinary Cabinet meeting today. Yet councillors were only allowed one question each, avoiding the proper debate and scrutiny this decision requires for the people of Suffolk.
Conservative councillors continue to believe the Government made the wrong decision to split Suffolk into three. However, they believe that the decision to take the Government to court is one that should have been debated at Full Council.
Cllr Richard Rout, Leader of the Conservative Group, commented:
“Today we saw the Cabinet approve a decision to spend up to £500,000 of taxpayers’ money to take the Government to court without any real debate. This decision was originally taken by one man, behind closed doors and without reference to councillors. The Leader was clear that it was his choice to go to a Cabinet meeting and, equally, it was his choice not to allow every councillor to debate the issue at Full Council.
“Let’s be clear, taking the Government of the day to court is a key decision and one that requires full and open debate. There were glaring issues over transparency throughout this process. Only two copies of the confidential papers were provided, which could not leave the office. Some members had to read them over the shoulder of another because there weren’t enough to go around. Members who worked couldn’t view them at all because we were only given 26 June, in the middle of a record-breaking heatwave, or a few hours this morning to go to the office to read them.
“Equally glaring is what we were not shown. The confidential advice from counsel was provided for inspection, but we were not given access to the instructions given by Suffolk County Council, which tells its own story.
“We’ve always said that a single unitary council is the right choice for Suffolk and the Government made the wrong decision to split Suffolk into three. But that doesn’t mean that, when up to £500,000 of the public’s money is at risk, we shouldn’t demand transparency from Reform UK. They demand openness from the Government but don’t make the same demand of themselves.”
