SOME councillors in the Post area have reacted with disappointment to the news that there will be no full Cornwall Council meeting in September, writes Amy Dennis.

Cornwall Council said the meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, was cancelled ‘as there were no substantive agenda items and the only standing items related to member and public question time’.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “The council’s meetings are run so that its business can be carried out efficiently; considering the interests of the community, the importance of using member’s time effectively and the cost of holding a meeting.

“Prior to making this decision, the chairman sought the views of the group leaders, the leader of the council and the monitoring officer. The majority of groups’ leaders indicated that they agreed with cancelling the meeting.”

Cornwall Councillor for Stoke Climsland Neil Burden described the decision without members’ consultation as ‘very rash’, adding: “This I have objected to most strongly as it undermines the whole democratic process. The numbers of full council a year have already been reduced to six and with many new members they must wonder what they have been elected for.

“This decision was made on the pretense of lack of business, but who knows what business, motions to council, public questions or for members concerns to cabinet members a month ahead of the meeting? It was also a wonderful opportunity for our partners to update us or a training session.

“I feel the public of Cornwall are having decisions forced upon them by this so called strong leadership model cabinet which their local members have had no input whatever and the whole ethos of the council in now at serious risk of turning into a autocracy. This is very poor public relations exercise, and further destroys any trust in the Cornwall Council and what it does or whether it cares about the changing needs of the Cornish population.”

Cllr Barry Jordan, the Conservative member for Tintagel, was another one of those who raised concerns. He said: “We were not consulted, we were just told that the meeting was cancelled which I believe is very unusual, we had questions we wanted answers to and it is the only time we have a chance to question the cabinet, I personally hope this never happens again, I find it hard to believe that the cabinet have nothing to discuss.”

Cllr Adrian Parsons (Lib Dem) for Altarnun, did not want members of the public to think councillors would have a ‘month off’: “I was disappointed that the full council meeting was cancelled. As a new member it is a good opportunity to meet other members and portfolio holders to ask questions and discuss issues of importance in person regarding our own divisions. Although this decision has been made by the group leaders of the council, I fully respect their decision. Should any outstanding issues arise before the next meeting they will still be dealt with promptly via email or telephone.

“What has disappointed me more is that some sections of the press and social media have implied that now the meeting is cancelled we will be having the month off! Hardly a day goes by without an issue to deal with within my four parishes. There are still parish council meetings to attend, planning meetings, Cornwall Council Farm meetings, network panel meetings, NHS shaping our future events...in addition to my day job. Rest assured we are all still working hard for the good people within our divisions.”

While some councillors have been left wondering whether there should be a cut in their numbers, in line with proposals from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. Cllr Nigel Pearce (Lib Dem), one of Bude’s Cornwall Councillors, said: “I was disappointed the September Cornwall Council meeting was cancelled and find it strange that so many councillors were arguing for more councillors at our last meeting but there is nothing for us to discuss in September. I think we should reduce the number of councillors and staff dramatically.”

Member for Camelford, Rob Rotchell (Lib Dem), said he felt the decision was justified: “The general rule is that meetings are not held unless there is a substantial agenda to be dealt with. In this case the chairman in consultation with the group leaders and the leader of the council decided that there was insufficient business to warrant a full meeting.

“Bearing in mind the costs incurred in bringing councillors from all over the county I think the decision was justified. Should members wish to ask Cabinet members (such as myself) a question then we are readily available either in person, by email or by phone.”

Cllr Dominic Fairman (Lib Dem), divisional member for St Teath and St Breward, said: “Whilst there has been some disquiet from the backbenches about the decision to not hold a full council meeting in September it is hardly surprising that there are no major decisions to be made given the slow start and disruption to the start of this administration from the inability of the largest group on the council to form a coalition and then the general election. However this summer has in fact been extremely busy for councillors with the new committee structure to get up and running and the areas such as planning and licensing which require constant attention.”

Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for Launceston South Jade Farrington said: “I received notification that Cllr Mary May, the council’s chairman, had chosen to cancel the full council meeting. The bulk of the council’s work is done by committees which then propose their recommendations to full council for debate. Most of these didn’t meet in August so they had nothing to propose to full council, which I believe is why she’s chosen to cancel it. I’ll be attending a meeting regarding the proposed asphalt plant at Pennygillam Industrial Estate on September 12 instead.”

Leader of Cornwall Council, Adam Paynter, also the Lib Dem ward member for Launceston North and North Petherwin, said: “There wasn’t any business on the agenda as we are a new council that hasn’t really got going yet. It seemed silly to hold a meeting that costs several thousand pounds if there was no substantive business!

“There is only a set amount of decisions that full council decides on. Most decisions are made by cabinet and we had that meeting [on Wednesday, September 6].”