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Greens lash out at Highland Council ‘administration's gagging order’ claiming it is trying to ‘reduce public involvement’





Highland Council headquarters. Picture: James Mackenzie
Highland Council headquarters. Picture: James Mackenzie

A move by Highland Council has been slammed by the Greens amid fears it will reduce public participation in local authority proceedings.

The Greens group in the council are opposing proposals to prevent members of the public asking questions in person as council meetings.

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It is one among many suggested changes listed among reforms to the council procedures for meetings, known as standing orders.

The move will be voted on next week at a full meeting of the council but Aird and Loch Ness Councillor Chris Ballance is dead against them.

Greens Councillor Chris Ballance, the deputy city leader of Inverness. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Greens Councillor Chris Ballance, the deputy city leader of Inverness. Picture: James Mackenzie.

“This is another attempt to further reduce public involvement in Highland Council meetings,” he said.

“When I joined the council members of the public had the right to pose a question in public at full council meetings, hear the reply and then ask a supplementary question.

“The right to ask a supplementary question was withdrawn from the public two years ago. Now the administration is withdrawing even the right to ask a question in public.

“I imagine they will argue that preventing the public from speaking will shorten meetings – is democracy about shortening meetings?

“If these proposals are passed, in future members of the public will only have the right to put their question in writing and receive the answer in writing.

“It’s just not right. We should be encouraging members of the public to be involved in Council business – not making it impossible for their voice to be heard".



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