Opposition anger over cancellations
ANGRY opposition councillors in Hull have hit out at a decision to cancel this month’s full council meeting as well as a number of scrutiny committees.
The scheduled full meeting of the authority on January 21 at the Guildhall has been scrapped.
In contrast, East Riding Council’s full council meeting is still taking place with no plans to scale back other committees.
In recent months, all council and committee meetings have been held remotely with a limited number of councillors attending in person.
City councillors were informed this week the decision had been taken following consultation between the Lord Mayor Councillor Lyn Petrini, who normally chairs full council meetings, and leader Councillor Steve Brady.
As well as the current Covid restrictions, they were told there was “no current business” required to be conducted at this month’s meeting.
But Conservative group leader Councillor John Fareham labelled the move as “premature” as the normal deadline for motions to be submitted for debate had yet to be reached.
He also criticised the cancellation of this month’s scheduled economy and investment scrutiny committee at a time of soaring unemployment and the failure of the £22m Whitefriargate funding bid as well as the immediate impact on Hull following the UK’S exit from the European Union.
He added: “It beggars belief in a city with bigger than average unemployment, and the biggest structural change to trade in two generations that, living in a mixed economy, there is supposedly no business for economy and investment scrutiny to consider.”
“This is smug, complacent, out of touch attitude from Labour who pay themselves a special responsibility allowance but then run away from responsibility.”
Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Mike Ross said: “This decision is frankly outrageous. It is plainly obvious the work of the council can continue. The residents of Hull expect the council to be doing its job.
“The move from this Labour administration to cancel the full council meeting, as well as other scrutiny sessions, show the makings of a tinpot democracy. We know meetings can be carried out safely and online.”