I was shocked and dismayed to learn that my political comrade, Martin Francis, and others, were prevented from attending a meeting of full Council on 28 February 2011.By what authority may the Council exclude members of the public, nay, rate paying locals, from its proceedings? The Council recruited the police in its design under the pretext that admittance to the gallery was by ticket alone.
By what authority may the Council, exceptionally, institute ticketed entry? Who took this decision and why were seats left unoccupied?
Brent Council heaps injury upon its already injurious local cuts programme by this affront to the peaceable access to its Chamber by local residents. Or would the Council’s answer to criticisms of its impossible plan to spend £100m on a new civic centre, say, be to do away with the chamber altogether?
Transparency of decision-making and democratic accountability is non-negotiable, perhaps more especially when politically inconvenient for the Council. Brent’s misconduct must not go unchallenged or uncorrected.
Picture of Martin Francis prevented from entering the Chamber taken by Savva Papasavvas. More on Wembley Matters.
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