A heated debate has been sparked after Somerset Council members voted to reduce the number of public speakers allowed at Full Council meetings, a move branded by the Conservative opposition members as a step backwards for local democracy.
At the latest Full Council meeting, councillors approved a proposal to cut the maximum number of public questioners from eight to six.
The change was challenged by Conservative councillors, who argued it sends the wrong message to residents about their right to be heard.
Conservative Councillor Faye Purbrick led the call to amend the proposal and retain the existing eight-speaker limit and said: “Why are we reducing public participation? It just seems like a reduction in democracy.”
Cllr Purbrick also questioned how the six speakers would be chosen, warning it could come down to “fastest fingers first,” disadvantaging those without the time or access to respond immediately.
The amendment was formally seconded by Conservative Councillor Sue Osborne, who supported the case for protecting public participation saying: “I’m always slightly concerned when we look at reducing any opportunities for public participation.”
She added: “Full Council, apart from the scrutiny committees, is really the only opportunity the public have to express their views, their concerns to us, and potentially hold us to account.”
Cllr Diogo Rodrigues, Leader of the Conservative Opposition, supported the amendment and echoed concerns that reducing the number of public speakers risked sending the wrong signal to residents.
He said: “At a time when residents are already frustrated by rising council tax, reduced services, and the Council’s ongoing financial emergency, we should be doing more to involve the public — not less. This sends the wrong message at the wrong time.”
However, Somerset Liberal Democrats have denied that anyone’s democratic rights will be impacted by this “minor change” that was supported by the Conservatives at the committee stage.
Leader Cllr Bill Revans says: “The proposal to clarify the public speaking rules came from the cross-party Constitution and Governance committee which unanimously proposed that the number of speakers be usually 6. This is based on the mathematics of 3 minutes per public speaker and 2 minutes for an answer, making 30 minutes in total.”
“The aim is to ensure that all full council meetings are completed within 4 hours, as specified in the constitution. The Chair of council retains the discretion to allow extra time and extra speakers should there be a need to do so.”
“None of the Conservative members on the Constitution and Governance committee proposed an amendment or voted against the proposal. All questions submitted will be responded to in full and members of the public are being signposted to ask questions at committee meetings of the Executive or Scrutiny committees where they are more appropriate.”
He adds: “Somerset Council remains committed to maximising public participation in its proceedings. It is odd that the Conservatives raised no concerns about this small clarification to the constitution at the committee stage, but waited to full council to make a fuss and subsequently put out a press statement.”
“It would have been far better to turn up at the committee and make an amendment where it could be properly considered. I am sure this will be kept under review by the relevant committee, and I am certain that no one will be denied their democratic rights to participate in decision making.”
