Spelthorne Conservatives ride rough-shod over democratic process

9.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 14th Jun 2010

Cllr Colin Strong - Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition

Every year at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) Spelthorne Borough Council elects the Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the various Committees. This year was different.

The Conservative administration decided to move the election from the AGM to the first meeting of the relevant committee. Liberal Democrat Councillors were informed of this and foresaw no problems.

The Council issued a press release just five days after the AGM stating the names of the new Chairman and Vice-Chairman. This was done even though none had been democratically elected as none of the committees had met.

The Liberal Democrat opposition group consider this action to be typical of the arrogant attitude of the Conservatives who run the Council. The Lib Dems have filed a Formal Complaint in protest.

Cllr Colin Strong, Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition commented, "The democratic election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Committees is a decision taken by members of those Committees and NOT the majority group. Spelthorne Borough Council is not a one-party state."