The Labour administration of Milton Keynes City Council have continued their slate of constitutional changes, seeking to limit the opportunities for local residents to share their views and scrutinise decisions.
This week, the administration, supported by the Liberal Democrats, voted to limit the number of motions that are allowed to be raised at a Full Council and limit the debate for each motion to 15 minutes.
Conservative Councillors say that for residents these changes will make it harder for local concerns to be raised, easier for bad decisions to go unchallenged and more difficult for your representatives to speak up on your behalf.
The Conservative Group will now only be allowed to raise one motion per meeting, regardless of the number of concerns residents and parish councils bring to members.
These constitutional amendments were included alongside the proposal to include a dedicated time for questions from members of the Milton Keynes’ Youth Council. Conservative Councillors are unequivocal in their support for this enhanced position for our youth representatives.
Cllr Shazna Muzammil, Group Leader of the Conservative Group, said
“The Labour Administration, and their Liberal Democrat colleagues, call this streamlining, we call it silencing the opposition and shutting out the public. When we raise motions, it’s not about party politics. It’s about flooding in Lavendon, work placements for our Looked After children, Air quality for residents near construction sites- issues that our residents ask us to raise and advocate for. These new rules limit how of many of these important topics will now make it to the Council chamber.”
“But let me be clear, whilst we voted against the overall item last night to stand up against the undemocratic and shocking limitations of our residents’ views, we completely support the dedicated time for questions from our Youth Council colleagues. It is integral that the voices of our younger generation are heard, and we look forward to their contributions over the coming years”
This move follows recent changes to the call-in process, which removed the right of Parish Councils and residents to challenge decisions, and the downsizing of scrutiny committees, meaning fewer councillors are now reviewing how public money is being spent.
Cllr Muzammil continued:
“This Council is becoming more authoritarian by the week. They’ve cut back scrutiny, limited motions, and sidelined local voices. Residents are being told to stay quiet and accept it. But we won’t.”
“There are now less issues being debated in public, less power for Parish Councils to speak up for their communities and zero power for residents to trigger a review of an executive decision. Less democracy and more control for the Labour Leadership."
This is just another example of this Council failing in their duty to represent our communities. They’re not listening but we are.”
Milton Keynes Conservative Group urges residents to share their views and concerns with their local Councillor or at [email protected]
