Tory Cabinet Members refuse questions

12.00.00am GMT Fri 15th Jan 2010

Tory cabinet members at the county council have blocked plans to allow people who live and work in Gloucestershire to ask questions about their decisions.

Members of the public can ask questions at cabinet meetings in all of the councils in Gloucestershire apart from the County Council. Liberal Democrats voted in favour of people being allowed to ask questions at Shire Hall in a time set-aside for public and member questions.

Cllr Jeremy Hilton said: "Why are the Tory cabinet so afraid to allow questions to them at cabinet meetings. Cabinet makes important decisions affecting the county and local people should have the opportunity ask questions of them at cabinet meetings. This happens in other councils all over the UK. Today they kicked the proposal to allow questions at cabinet into the long grass. The Tories enjoy ruling, but seem terribly timid when it comes to being questioned about their actions"

Cabinet members will avoid important questions about council services and how they are being run. The rules of the council constitution were to be changed to be in line with other councils at yesterdays meeting.

Cllr Ceri Jones said: "Other councils have a question time set aside at cabinet meetings so why not in Gloucestershire? Important decisions are being taken regularly on how public services are being run including social care, schools and the environment. About time the cabinet opened up their meeting to questions from members of the public and back bench councillors. There is no need for any delay"

Notes to editors: yesterday the council constitution committee met to decide whether the cabinet should allow questions. The committee was filled with Tory cabinet members who voted to protect themselves from public questions and blocked the plans.

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