Democracy wanes as cabinet power rises

CABINET or committee – dictatorship or democracy?

At around the turn of the new millennium Derby City Council changed its form of governance from a committee to a cabinet system.

It is no coincidence that from this time we have seen the city deteriorate from a once vibrant place to be to a dull lifeless town devoid of many facilities that other similar cities offer.

The list of bad decisions that have precipitated from this form of governance is too long to notate, but we will all have some that can be brought to mind.

The cabinet system consisting of nine councillors from the current ruling party make the final decisions, irrespective of majority voting in the chamber by other councillors.

For instance, the council decided to stop operating Allestree Municipal Golf Course and to close this facility. However a number of professional organisations showed interest in putting forward proposals to take over the operation and the running of this well loved facility. Yet despite the majority voting to consider these offers it was dismissed out of hand by the cabinet.

The above is just one illustration of this undemocratic system of governance which clearly is not fit for purpose. Changing to a committee system would mean all parties would get proportional representation and therefore be better able to represent the needs of all sections the community; there would be an improved mix of ideas and proposals and better decision making.

A petition is currently running to force the council to hold a referendum to change the council back to a committee system of governance, this can be accessed online at www.ipetitions.com/ petition/derbypeoplespetition.

By signing the petition, in a small way you could help to make us proud to say once again “I come from Derby”.

David Adams, Breadsall