‘Sad Day For Democracy’ As Decision Taken To Limit Speakers At Meetings

Opposition councillors say a decision taken last night to limit the number of public speakers at Harborough Council planning meetings was a ‘sad day for democracy.’

From now on, just three people will be able to speak in favour of an application and three against – previously an unlimited number had been allowed.

The move was approved by Conservative councillors at the Full Council meeting, despite opposition from Liberal Democrats.

Leader of the Opposition Phil Knowles said: “When we undermine the ability of the number of residents to engage with the Planning Committee it is a very sad day for Democracy.”

The Council says the unlimited number created an imbalance of representations and resulted in lengthy meetings, with some having to be adjourned and completed at a later date.

Deputy Leader Phil King said: “The ability for residents to comment of planning applications remains.

“Having looked at the average number of speakers in the past two years on most planning applications, it is 3.4, and a quarter of applications have no speakers at all.  The average is what we have gone for.”

Meanwhile, a decision was also taken to cut the number of councillors on the Planning Committee from 12 to 9 – although the political balance would stay the same.