EasyCouncil – Cabinet walk out on residents

Last night all members of the Cabinet Committee walked out of the above meeting, there was no announcement to the public gallery as to why or where they had gone.

At one stage a rumour circulated that the meeting had moved to the Council Chamber, so residents started to make their way to the Chamber only to find out they were being encouraged to leave the Building. Everyone turned round and returned to the committee rooms where residents began a chorus of “we shall not , we shall not be moved!”.  It felt like a game of hide seek

Perhaps we all missed the message to the Gallery, from the outset there were problems being able to hear what was being said and nigh on impossible for those sitting beyond rows five of the gallery. As I have been to a number of council meetings (sad anorak that I am!) this issue has been repeatedly raised by members of the public and still the issue remains unresolved. All night there were problems with the mike, although on a few occasions it appeared that the mike had been turned off so we couldn’t hear what was said; but that could be just my paranoia?

A concerned member of the public has subsequently contacted the branch and directed us to a DPR which was approved for a new system to be provided by “Sound Advice PA Installations Limited in accordance with their quote in the sum of £111,768.00” you can view DPR here

Public Question Time

This is the spot for residents to submit questions. Residents receive a response to their questions before the meeting and are given an opportunity to ask a supplementary question (members please note this level of scrutiny does not happen if you work for the Private sector).

For this Committee the Council had received an unprecedented amount of questions. Cabinet refused to agree to pleas from residents for Question time to be extended the 30 minute slot, this did not go down well with residents who quickly realised there wasn’t going to be enough time for their questions/issues.

UNISON Marathon Twitter – 14 February

There was so much to see and hear at the meeting, if you want to read the twitter news as it happened last night click here

What the papers say

Hendon Times- Councillors flee meeting due to public outrage

TOP councillors were forced to abandon a crucial meeting in mid-flow last night amid public anger at their plans for this year’s budget………………..During the meeting councillors moved to quieten the crowd with leader Councillor Lynne Hillan telling the group: “There are places where we can have proper discussions and cabinet is not one of them.” ……………….After continued public interruptions transport councillor Brian Coleman said: “I’ve rarely met such rude members of the public.”

To read full article click here

Unison letter to Barnet Council urges review of senior staff pay to save frontline jobs

UNION bosses have urged Barnet Council to look again at their budget proposals in a bid to protect frontline services before tonight’s crucial budget meeting. Read full article here

What the local Bloggers have to say

·         Barnet Eye: “Barnet Council Budget meeting : Bunfight at the KO Coral “

·         Vicki Morris “Civilisation”

·         Mr Reasonable “Lollipop staff and management waste”