The principal activity of council meetings is debating Motions. These are free-wheeling discussions where any councillor can participate. Motions ought to be important and probing.1 Motions presented to this meeting were, in general, an insult to the electorate.2
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The first motion by the Conservatives was:
A This council agrees to implement a pairing system for members, to ensure that serious illness does not impact the political balance of the Chamber.
Keith Prince (1 hour 31)3 was abysmal. He literally hadn’t worked out the implications of his proposition. Keith Darvill (1:34) told him. Prince acknowledged he’d got it wrong. It was drivel.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
The Conservative’s second motion was pivotal. The financial ‘reasons’ for library closures are flakey and legitimately contestable. Perfect territory for intelligent debating:
B Council calls upon Cabinet to maintain the operation of all local libraries, acknowledging the critical social impact of their potential closure, and to encourage the use of financial reserves to ensure their continued funding. (my emphasis)
Keith Prince (1:42) withdrew the motion, which is beyond belief. The Conservatives literally don’t know what an Opposition party should be doing, or, what constructive criticism is.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
The Conservative’s third motion was inconsequential:
C Council agrees to amend the Constitution to allow for 2 follow-up questions during full council meetings.
Keith Prince (1:43) continued his poor form. Once more Keith Darvill dissected the motion. He gained support from Stephanie Nunn and Ray Morgon.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
The final motion came from the Labour party:
D This Council adopts the Co-operative Party’s Charter Against Modern Slavery as shown on the attached.
Katharine Tumilty (1:55) made a very good speech about the horrors of modern-day slavery. Dilip Patel (2:08) shared his first-hand experience when he recounted his involvement in rescuing a young woman. Very moving and inspiring for everyone in the chamber. Barry Mugglestone (2:10) outlined his department’s intervention in illegal HMOs.
It was a long wait but councillors, at last, showed their best side.
Best speech: Katharine Tumilty
Notes
1 There are eight council meetings but there are no motions at Annual Council
2 SUPPLEMENTARY AGENDA 24th-Jul-2024 19.30 Council.pdf (havering.gov.uk) p11
3 Annotator Player (mediasite.com) All times refer to this webcast
Politics in Havering 