Area meeting abolition is not democratic

THE Labour-controlled Sefton Council has now railroaded through the abolition of the Southport Area Committee and has completely ignored representations made by Southport councillors and others that were both practical and pragmatic.

Their behaviour is a direct assault on democracy and gives them no credit.

As an elected member of the advisory group I have prepared the following resolution for what would be the last meeting in March – but now, even an expression of thanks and concern will be vetoed:

“As this is the final meeting the members of the Southport Area Committee wish to place on record its thanks to all those who have contributed to it from the public, and also to the officers of Sefton Council who have always provided much-needed expertise and advice.

“We also want to recognise the significant contribution made by the police who have attended every meeting with very helpful updates and have also answered questions.

“The Southport Area Committee does wish to express its grave concern that the views of the committee acting on behalf of the public – ie that the committee should be retained, and indeed that Sefton Council should devolve further powers with the relevant budgets – have been totally ignored, and that the proposed alternative system will not allow council officers to attend, and (the fact) that the Southport Town Hall cannot be used represents significant assault on democratic involvement in our town.

“Finally, the SAC would like to make it clear that it does not agree with the comments made by the Labour leader of the council that ‘there is no such thing as Southport, only Sefton’.”

Sir Ron Watson CBE, via email