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Public Involvement in Local Politics |
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Oct 23 2013, 07:08 PM
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Advanced Member
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QUOTE (Simon Kirby @ Oct 23 2013, 08:00 PM) We talk at times about the public involvement in local politics and the lack of engagement from our local politicos, but for all my interest in local politics I've never been to a WBC committee meeting. My feeling is that the lack of an active public presence at council meetings allows our politicos to evade accountability. If we're not seeing first-hand how they perform and how lame their reasoning and debate is, then we're neglecting our democratic responsibilities.
So how about we go together to observe a council meeting one evening. We can wash up the evening with a Newt in a local hostelry after observing our local politics in action for an hour.
Thoughts? You might want to do that before the event, to be honest. I went to one once and it was tedious and rather confusing.
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Oct 23 2013, 08:50 PM
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Advanced Member
Group: Members
Posts: 7,847
Joined: 23-May 09
From: Newbury
Member No.: 98
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QUOTE (Simon Kirby @ Oct 23 2013, 08:00 PM) We talk at times about the public involvement in local politics and the lack of engagement from our local politicos, but for all my interest in local politics I've never been to a WBC committee meeting. My feeling is that the lack of an active public presence at council meetings allows our politicos to evade accountability. If we're not seeing first-hand how they perform and how lame their reasoning and debate is, then we're neglecting our democratic responsibilities.
So how about we go together to observe a council meeting one evening. We can wash up the evening with a Newt in a local hostelry after observing our local politics in action for an hour.
Thoughts? I've been to a good few simply as a 'rate payer'. Some can be very good, some quite dreadful. You've made a great suggestion which I'd certainly support. We used to have Forums in West Berkshire, which were reasonably well attended by the. Public when there were specific contentions on the agenda. Regrettably, the Executive would 'smother debate' by eating into the time available with presentations from patsy worthy local organisations. At one time, 'local interest' was maintained by running it alongside other necessary activities, generally pub focused! That is, collection of subs. from Union members, paying into the Tontine, collecting the quarterly divi from the Coop. There may be some mileage in this, particularly if modernised; after all credit unions (mutualism) is back and how long before we need the HSA or Hearts of Oak to supplement the NHS?
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Know your place!
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Oct 23 2013, 08:59 PM
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Newbie
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Member No.: 168
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QUOTE (Simon Kirby @ Oct 23 2013, 08:00 PM) So how about we go together to observe a council meeting one evening. We can wash up the evening with a Newt in a local hostelry after observing our local politics in action for an hour. Thoughts? Interested in joining, if it fits in with my work hours, please keep me posted.
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Oct 23 2013, 11:08 PM
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I'd go Simon I'd try not get an infection and get taken to hospital at late notice this time When and where.
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:p Grammar: the difference between knowing your poop and knowing you're poop.
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Oct 24 2013, 02:45 PM
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QUOTE (motormad @ Oct 24 2013, 12:08 AM) I'd go Simon I'd try not get an infection and get taken to hospital at late notice this time When and where. I'll have a think, unless anyone has a suggestion. My feeling is sometime in the new year, and if we can find an interesting meeting so much the better.
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Right an injustice - give Simon Kirby his allotment back!
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Oct 24 2013, 04:29 PM
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Advanced Member
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From: Wash Common
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QUOTE (Andy Capp @ Oct 24 2013, 04:20 PM) I'd organise it by PM so as not to give 'them' any notice! I did wonder about that, but I don't think we have anything to hide.
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Right an injustice - give Simon Kirby his allotment back!
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Oct 24 2013, 04:30 PM
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Advanced Member
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From: Wash Common
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QUOTE (On the edge @ Oct 24 2013, 04:39 PM) Any particular Council in sight?. WBC I think. NTC is more my personal struggle, unless there was some merit in starting small.
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Right an injustice - give Simon Kirby his allotment back!
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Oct 24 2013, 07:03 PM
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Go on. Go on, start with a committee to decide on a consultation to decide on a venue Newbury Action Group...s ce
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Oct 24 2013, 07:05 PM
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Advanced Member
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From: Newbury
Member No.: 98
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QUOTE (Nothing Much @ Oct 24 2013, 08:03 PM) Go on. Go on, start with a committee to decide on a consultation to decide on a venue Newbury Action Group...s ce Come on CE, that wasn't even subtle!!! You'll be expecting some 'restorative' meetings soon.
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Know your place!
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