HDC Defends Procedures After ‘Museum of Paperwork’ Criticism

Harborough District Council has defended its procedures following criticism from opposition councillors.

The response comes after Conservative members accused the ruling coalition of undermining democracy, claiming meetings have become ‘a museum of paperwork’.

They highlighted delays such as the approval of two-year-old minutes and scrutiny panels reviewing financial reports that are six months out of date.

HDC’s Symington Building HQ

A Conservative Group spokesperson said: “This coalition has reduced Harborough District Council to a dusty museum of paperwork. Councillors are forced to rubber-stamp ancient minutes while scrutiny panels are fed stale reports long past their sell-by date. That isn’t transparency – it’s cover-up by delay. Residents deserve honesty and accountability, but instead they’re getting secrecy, sloppiness, and a council buried under its own dust.”

HDC says it takes its legal responsibilities seriously and Liz Elliott, Deputy Chief Executive, added: “We have made a number of governance improvements which include reviewing terms of reference and practices for our committees and sub-committee meetings, the final part of which will be presented to Full Council in October.”