Snowf lake council’s time-out cards for ‘distressing’ debates

A COUNCIL has been branded ‘wet’ after introducing a ‘red card’ system so councillors can walk out of debates that distress them.

Members at Lib Dem-run Wymondham Town Council will have a special room next to the council chamber where they can receive advice on ‘grounding techniques’ such as breathing exercises and taking calming sips of water.

The scheme was introduced after Tory councillor Tony Holden stepped down with a 45-second resignation speech in which he told colleagues at the Norfolk authority they had ‘achieved nothing’.

Green councillor Joe Barrett, 25, left the meeting for 20 minutes with a ‘psychiatric emergency’ as a result — despite not being one of Mr Holden’s targets. They were chairman Suzanne Nuri-Nixon and clerk Trevor Gurney. Mr Barrett proposed the new system, adopted unanimously by colleagues this week, although they rejected his proposal to actually use red cards due to their ‘negative connotation’. Members will instead hold up name cards.

Mr Holden – who previously apologised to Mr Barrett for any unintentional distress – said: ‘If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

‘I don’t know if they’re a bit wet or just trying to find a meaning in what they’re doing. They’re using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. The council isn’t fit for purpose. They’re fragile and have lost their way.’

The scheme also triggered ridicule online, with one commentator saying: ‘I had to double check it wasn’t still April 1 when reading this. What on earth has happened to people developing resilience and being able to cope with different views and opinions?

‘Society is becoming increasingly infantilised.’

The council is on the lowest rung of local democracy, with backwater responsibilities including allotments, play areas and street lighting.

Mr Barrett, who was elected in May last year and has ADHD and PTSD, complained that his ‘serious dissociative episode’ was exacerbated because there was no ‘perceived means of escape’. ‘It’s difficult for me to leave a meeting as I feel that I need to give a reason or an excuse, which can sometimes be difficult to explain,’ he said.

‘This [new system] will make the town council a more inclusive environment and offers a means of escape if it is needed.’

Ms Nuri-Nixon said: ‘People shouldn’t have to ask to leave a meeting – this isn’t a classroom. This is just a way of showing a bit of respect and will make us more inclusive.’

‘Sledgehammer to crack a nut’