Lib Dem leader furious over Wiltshire cabinet cancelling questions
A Wiltshire political leader has accused Wiltshire Council leaders of closing the door on open and transparent local government.
Ian Thorn, who heads up the Liberal Democrats - the largest opposition group to the Conservatives - was furious as he, and other councillors, were blocked from asking questions other than on agenda items.
During the cabinet meeting, council leader Richard Clewer said this was due to the packed agenda.
"We've got a very packed agenda and lots of other things to do today so I'm not going to be takign any further questions at this point," the leader said.
"We will take specific questions on cabinet agenda items as they come up.
"Its within the gift of the chair to decide and we've got a packed agenda today and meetings this afternoon."
When Cllr Thorn asked if this would be a feature of cabinet moving forward; Cllr Clewer replied that it was a feature of that particular cabinet meeting.
After the cabinet concluded, Cllr Thorn tweeted out his disdain for the decision taken by the council leaders.
"Worrying development at Wiltshire Council cabinet this morning when councillors were prevented from asking questions of cabinet members on issues not already on the agenda," he wrote.
"This is a long held tradition which seems to have come to an end. So much for open and transparent government."
He later said that there are so few ways for other political groups to hold the administration to account.
Lib Dem leader furious over cabinet cancelling questions | Wiltshire Times