Tories brand cross-party cooperation as “nonsense”
By Martin Chapman on Thursday, 7th February 2002.
The Conservative leader of St Edmundsbury Borough has branded a Labour councillor’s idea of cross-party cooperation as “nonsense.”
Raw Nowak, leader of the Labour group at what is considered as one of the most volatile councils in the country put forward an idea of creating a cross-part group, St Edmundsbury FIRST.
Cllr Nowak’s idea is to form a cross-party group putting the needs of St Edmundsbury residents first until the next elections for the council in 2003.
Currently the council is operation with no one party having overall control. Labour have 16 members, Liberal Democrats have two, the Conservatives, 22. There is also two Independent councillors, and two Independent Conservative members. However as the Tories hold the most chairmanships of the main committees they regain the majority of power.
According to Mr Nowak: "a Hung council is probably the worst position for any council to be in, it leads to weak decision making and personalities becoming larger than the issues.
"I suggest that, until the elections in 2003, a new group is formed in an attempt to resolve the deadlock. The new group, comprising councillors from all political groups, would aim to resolve issues and present a common agenda," Mr Nowak said.
Mr Nowak attacked the current position saying: "A 'do nothing' council, which we have now, is failing the whole community. We should put St Edmundsbury first rather than continuing with the party political dogma."
Mr Nowaks plan has been supported by all parties except the Conservatives.
Derek Redhead, leader of the council, attacked coalitions saying: "Coalitions never work and it would only stifle any decision making.
He added that he “would be surprised if any members of the Conservative group were interested."
Raw Nowak, leader of the Labour group at what is considered as one of the most volatile councils in the country put forward an idea of creating a cross-part group, St Edmundsbury FIRST.
Cllr Nowak’s idea is to form a cross-party group putting the needs of St Edmundsbury residents first until the next elections for the council in 2003.
Currently the council is operation with no one party having overall control. Labour have 16 members, Liberal Democrats have two, the Conservatives, 22. There is also two Independent councillors, and two Independent Conservative members. However as the Tories hold the most chairmanships of the main committees they regain the majority of power.
According to Mr Nowak: "a Hung council is probably the worst position for any council to be in, it leads to weak decision making and personalities becoming larger than the issues.
"I suggest that, until the elections in 2003, a new group is formed in an attempt to resolve the deadlock. The new group, comprising councillors from all political groups, would aim to resolve issues and present a common agenda," Mr Nowak said.
Mr Nowak attacked the current position saying: "A 'do nothing' council, which we have now, is failing the whole community. We should put St Edmundsbury first rather than continuing with the party political dogma."
Mr Nowaks plan has been supported by all parties except the Conservatives.
Derek Redhead, leader of the council, attacked coalitions saying: "Coalitions never work and it would only stifle any decision making.
He added that he “would be surprised if any members of the Conservative group were interested."
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