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Heated debate over one party executive
TORY and Lib/Dem councillors clashed head on during a debate over plans to switch to a one-party executive on Test Valley Borough Council.
During a heated debate in executive, council leader Ian Carr accused Lib/Dem councillor Mark Cooper of sending an insulting' email to all members.
Mr Carr said comments by Mr Cooper that with a one-party system this is all a waste of time' were rubbish'.
He added: "A lot of what you said in this insulting email is incorrect."
He said he wanted to introduce a one-party executive partly to create collective responsibility, move away from old style confrontational meetings', and streamline the decision-making process.
Mr Cooper urged the executive to defer a decision - which would result in the three Lib/Dem members losing £15,000 in allowances between them - until a review of the role of the overview and scrutiny was completed. He said: "I am of the opinion that changes to the executive and changes required to scrutiny are part and parcel."
In a one party executive, he added, the scrutiny system had to be easier to operate.
Mr Carr rejected a deferment, however, because the review of overview and scrutiny was started before the issue on a one party executive was raised.
"I would rather see the new executive up and running so that the review can adjust to the changes," he said.
Mr Cooper said he had no problem with the composition of the executive, although he added: "It's unfortunate you have gone down that route because when there were consultations they were for a multi-party executive and nothing has been done to alter that."
Head of legal Susan Tovey, however, said: "The proposals do not affect the executive arrangements and therefore there is no need to consult local electors or other interested parties."
The committee backed the plan for a one-party executive but the final decision rests with the full council.
11:38am Thursday 20th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Victor, Andover on 12:46pm Thu 20 Mar 08
If this goes through, doesn't it mean the people of Andover now have less Andover councillors making decisions on their behalf? This would seem to strengthen the need for us Andover folk to have it's own town council.
Of course, we may find that the full council vote it out, but that would mean people voting against the autocrat leader, Carr. No Conservative votes from me either at the next council elections, until Carr goes.
If this goes through, doesn't it mean the people of Andover now have less Andover councillors making decisions on their behalf? This would seem to strengthen the need for us Andover folk to have it's own town council.
Of course, we may find that the full council vote it out, but that would mean people voting against the autocrat leader, Carr. No Conservative votes from me either at the next council elections, until Carr goes.
Posted by: Tina, Charlton on 4:28pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Victor I agree in principle but the truth is there are more Andover Cllrs than the report
The next election is the Councty Council one and I will support my Cons CLLR she works hard for us snd deservers the support she gets
I am advised that tvbc is North and South split so North you have,Cllr Hawke, Carr, Giddings, Boulton and Busk live in the middle
South you have Hatley, Nokes but all the Cllr should have a free vote but will they you have those so close to Carr who all want a job and with extra cash
He does not lisiten to folk who voted him in just look at Charlton My advice to him is stand down now you have been good but the sale by date is now gone
Town Council not sure just a Parsih council with frill not much power just another talking shop which we have to pay for just look at Romsey
Victor I agree in principle but the truth is there are more Andover Cllrs than the report
The next election is the Councty Council one and I will support my Cons CLLR she works hard for us snd deservers the support she gets
I am advised that tvbc is North and South split so North you have,Cllr Hawke, Carr, Giddings, Boulton and Busk live in the middle
South you have Hatley, Nokes but all the Cllr should have a free vote but will they you have those so close to Carr who all want a job and with extra cash
He does not lisiten to folk who voted him in just look at Charlton My advice to him is stand down now you have been good but the sale by date is now gone
Town Council not sure just a Parsih council with frill not much power just another talking shop which we have to pay for just look at Romsey
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