Filton Labour respond to claims of secrecy
Labour Filton branch members have issued a statement in response to criticism that they have decided to discuss Filton town council matters behind closed doors at their branch meetings.
In the statement they say "To suggest that councillors should not discuss anything outside of
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Filton Labour deny secrecy of meetings
council meetings, with groups of residents and therefore within their
political party is a nonsense. As we live in a democracy and not in a
police state we will always defend our right to do so, as, indeed, do
the Conservatives although their statement fails to mention that there
isn't a Conservative party branch in Filton"
It goes on to say, "As we live in a democracy it is acceptable to take this decision".
However many voters have expressed concerns that it is wrong to openly discuss council matters between councillors and branch members only, in private. It also means up and coming council votes could be influenced by outside sources, without the public able to witness the debates and content.
The Conservatives on the council, issued a statement recently to say they did not support the discussing of council matter in this way.
They stated ""We would never discuss confidential matters at public meetings, the
only staffing information we ever receive comes officially from the
council; we would not support any meetings apart from official council
ones discussing staffing issues"
When new Labour councillors were voted into office after the last election in May, councillors told residents that Filton politics would be "transparent"
Their have been complaints to the branch in the past, after it emerged that individuals who were not branch members, were being openly discussed. After formal complaints were made to the regional director of the Labour party, Phil Gaskin, no response has been received.
One ex Labour party supporter, who did not wish to be named said: I was made aware of certain discussions that were inappropriate and therefore complained to the appropriate authority. I did not receive a reply and it is clear this is like a secret society. If they have nothing to hide and we live in a democracy as they claim, why can't any member of the Filton public attend and listen to their meetings in action. Why is it a closed shop"?
The branch meetings are not open to members of the public and minutes are not published.
There has been much controversy between branch members in recent years with Councillor Roger Hutchinson and Adam Monk, going head to head at a councillors conduct panel over a council row. Councillor Hutchinson was alleged to have swore at Mr Monk, during a council meeting, calling him a Tory ****. In addition Mr Hutchinson failed to declare an interest in Filton cycle speedway track, which he was secretary of at the time. He was found guilty on two counts of breaching the code of conduct. The cost of the action cost Filton taxpayers a staggering £27,000 as a result of the spat between branch members.
Both councillors remain members of the Filton Labour branch and only two weeks ago, Mr Monk was ousted from the role of chair and Mr Hutchinson was voted in as branch secretary.
14 Comments
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by JohnDunkeld
Tuesday, February 28 2012, 8:55AM
“If labour councillors are now discussing filton town council matters at their private meetings shouldnt the public be allowed to attend them? Also Im sure they should declare a personal interest in filton labour branch so its on the record at filton offices.....”
by MarkWhites
Monday, February 27 2012, 2:30PM
“People need to realise thats its almost a delusional situation where a cuncillor believe's he is Lord of Filton and will rule at whatever cost. Whilst there are councillors who are working hard to make changes (Cllr Moore, Drewitt, Scott) there are some who want nothing more than to control from the wings which is why they call him "The puppetmaster of Filton Town"...As a councillor do you want to be known as one of the puppets?”
by lolly60
Monday, February 27 2012, 10:47AM
“@Ray
you are spot on”
by RayTPayer
Monday, February 27 2012, 10:41AM
“The labour party can't sack a councillor but they could act and remove him from the party, which is what should happen.
The branch is mainly a mates club, all sticking together when it matters to their interest like boules team, cycle track team and ratepayers. This is because its their hobbies and interests. One of the standing jokes is that councillor Hutchinson uses the ratepayers like an extension of his front room!
It's all about self interest rather than best interest of filton. The cycle track was not wanted yet cost £50,000+ to build. £17,000 of charity money wasted when they decided amongst themselves to move a skatepark foundation to make way for their "prime position" cycle track.The track lays dormant every single day.No public consultation. They are also fighting tooth and nail to keep it free to use for out of town cycle clubs because its their hobby and they want to control the council.
Boules courts £10,000+ no public consultation. Fieldworks project cost £36,000 to escape as people did not want it but was progressed anyway.
None of the above was wanted by the normal filton public, yet the masons club of filton councillors at the time, did it anyway.
All of these things link back to the brainchild of one councillor together with a close knit circle of councillor friends.
This branch should be disbanded with immediate effect by the labour party and an investigation into its conduct launched.”
by lolly60
Monday, February 27 2012, 10:12AM
“Call in the lawyers to take a look at the rules something should be done .And this Councillor that is throwing his weight around should be sacked right away he is a disgrace to his Party and the people he is meant to represent.”
by JohnDunkeld
Monday, February 27 2012, 10:02AM
“Something very underhanded about the labour way of doing things locally. it has to be changed. people should complain to the labour party. Local parish councils are not intended to be political.
Philip Gaskin
southwest@new.labour.org.uk”
by lolly60
Sunday, February 26 2012, 10:16PM
“The Local Labour Party need to be looked into as soon as posssible, they are not worthy to be in power and hold secret meetings .”
by FreeFilton
Sunday, February 26 2012, 8:50PM
“This is about an ex filton town councillor, who simply cannot let go and wants to control the council through his labour associates, hence sneaking a vote through to discuss filton council business at branch meetings. This has been made clear through interrupting finance meetings and writing open letters to council trying to stop them charging for boules, when all other pubs charge for boules equipment hire and use of courts. Football teams also have to pay to use pitches and still provide income to the ratepayers. There should be no special treatment of the boules teams because councillors are members of the teamss. This council needs to sweep clean!
The Labour party MUST act and investigate the conduct from their perspective and it is not becoming of a party to act in this manner and is bringing the party into disrepute regularly.”
by SpinyHedgehog
Saturday, February 25 2012, 6:52PM
“@JohnDunkeld
"Labour spinning out of control. Its wrong under a democracy not to publish minutes, what have they to hide? So what if the Conservatives dont have a secret group, well done to them for being open about local politics! "
Indeed, the Filton Tory councillors' meetings are perfectly transparent, seeing as how they hold them in a telephone box...”
by EllieM2010
Saturday, February 25 2012, 3:25PM
“Too many Labour meetings held in pubs, completely unprofessional...Ed Miliband must act at local level and stop politics getting in the way of parish councils who are supposed to be politics free!!
http://tinyurl.com/7vdbbl4”