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downsmail.co.uk Tories face bale to retain power


MINORITY groups and opposi- tion members on Maidstone Council could gain more power next year if a new committee structure is brought in. With no party in overall control


of the council, opposition members have proposed scrapping the cur- rent cabinet system, by which the Conservatives always get the final vote. Instead it would be replaced by the old committee system, under which decisions go forward for ratification by the full council. This would give more power to


UKIP, the Independent members, Labour and the Lib Dems, who would be able to vote on major is- sues affecting the future of the bor- ough – including the controversial local plan and the supply of new houses.


Maidstone Council adopted a cabinet system, with overview and scrutiny committees, in May 2001. Currently, the Tory cabinet


makes all the final decisions, which are then subject to overview and scrutiny. The systemwas reviewed in 2009 and an enhanced scrutiny system introduced 18 months ago. Independent Cllr FayGooch said


Committee system gaining popularity


IF implemented, Maidstone will not be the first local authority to revert to the committee system. Since the introduction of the localism act, several local authorities


have taken up the option of reverting to committees, but with an obligation to commit to the structure for at least five years. The new system would come into force after the next annual meeting


of the council in May 2015 – after the next round of local and central government elections.


the enhanced system had not yet been fully reviewed and evaluated. She said: “This is a time whenwe


need strong leadership and quick decisive ac- tion. Would the committee system really serve us over the next year or two?” The pro- to


posal


change came from eight Lib


Dem members, including leader Cllr Fran Wilson, pictured, who said: “While I was leader of the council, I came to the conclusion that the committee systemwas bet-


ter. “All backbenchers, every council-


lor has a good say and is part of the final decision-making process.” She said a vote to veto the cabinet system was not a reflection on any individual or on the officers. She said: “I truly believe it is not as democratic.” Cllr Brian Mortimer said a com-


mittee structurewould allow mem- bers to deal with matters such as petitions when they were pre- sented, rather than leaving them to the Conservative-controlled cabi- net.


Cllr Sue Grigg said: “There are


five parties in this chamber. It is not democratic and it is not right for six members of the same party to have


the final say.” Tory cabinet member Cllr David Burton warned members against taking a “knee-jerk” decision and said: “I am deeply concerned we are going to springboard ourselves into something we cannot reverse for five years.” Cllr Dan Daley, who was the


leader of a hung council for seven years, with a committee structure, said:“We had committees covering every area of the council’s work. It was self-regulating, we scrutinised ourselves and we had cross-party working.We became debt-free.” But newly-elected member and cabinet member, John Perry, said: “It works for the Government so I don’t see why it should not work here. Inmyexperience, committees are not the most effective way of working. “The camelwas a horse designed


by a committee.” Twenty-five members voted in support of the motion, with 20 against and four abstentions. Group leaders will now meet and discuss the proposal, reporting back to full council for a final deci- sion in December.


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6 Maidstone South October 2014


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