ShorehamGull
He's now back
Reported in todays Argus.
A Lewes District Council cabinet member has resigned over the behind-closed-doors decision to challenge the goahead for a Falmer stadium.
Conservative Sharon Davy cited a lack of democracy and freedom of information as her reasons for quitting the nine-councillor Lib Dem-led cabinet yesterday.
She said she could not serve on a public body which made its decisions in private and then gagged members from discussing the issue with electors.
Coun Davy was out of the country when the cabinet resolved to launch High Court proceedings against John Prescott's permission for a 22,000-seat Falmer stadium.
The council said it took the decision in cabinet because it constituted an emergency and banned the Press and public because it involved sensitive legal advice.
But Coun Davy echoed thousands of Brighton and Hove Albion fans by insisting the matter should have been resolved in public by the full council.
She said in a resignation letter: "The decision of producing a report that is an exempt item printed on pink paper forbids any elected councillor to speak on behalf of the community they represent.
"Everything is confidential and decided behind closed doors. For me this simply isn't democracy.
"Surely it would have been appropriate to vote on a show of hands at a full council meeting with the public and Press present. The decision of producing this report on whether or not to spend more money on fighting John Prescott's decision as an exempt item is purely at the discretion of the Liberal Democrat administration and its advisers.
"However popular or unpopular a topic is, I believe passionately that local councillors should be able to represent the electorate in a transparent and open fashion."
Coun Davy refused to say whether or not she supported the council's action against Falmer, adding: "I daren't say anything otherwise I could be suspended as a councillor.
My loyalties lie with the people in my ward, Chailey."
Falmer For All chairman Paul Samrah said: "We welcome Coun Davy's principled stand. We have said all along this should have been debated in open council and the council's insistence that its legal advice is privileged is merely a smoke screen."
The cabinet is made up of six Lib Dem members - headed by council leader Ann de Vecchi, who has maintained a public silence since the cabinet decision - and three Tories.
Conservative group leader Shirley James said: "If she is not happy doing a cabinet job the best bet is for her to leave."
When asked if she agreed with Coun Davy's stance she added: "No. I have nothing else to say."
A Lewes District Council cabinet member has resigned over the behind-closed-doors decision to challenge the goahead for a Falmer stadium.
Conservative Sharon Davy cited a lack of democracy and freedom of information as her reasons for quitting the nine-councillor Lib Dem-led cabinet yesterday.
She said she could not serve on a public body which made its decisions in private and then gagged members from discussing the issue with electors.
Coun Davy was out of the country when the cabinet resolved to launch High Court proceedings against John Prescott's permission for a 22,000-seat Falmer stadium.
The council said it took the decision in cabinet because it constituted an emergency and banned the Press and public because it involved sensitive legal advice.
But Coun Davy echoed thousands of Brighton and Hove Albion fans by insisting the matter should have been resolved in public by the full council.
She said in a resignation letter: "The decision of producing a report that is an exempt item printed on pink paper forbids any elected councillor to speak on behalf of the community they represent.
"Everything is confidential and decided behind closed doors. For me this simply isn't democracy.
"Surely it would have been appropriate to vote on a show of hands at a full council meeting with the public and Press present. The decision of producing this report on whether or not to spend more money on fighting John Prescott's decision as an exempt item is purely at the discretion of the Liberal Democrat administration and its advisers.
"However popular or unpopular a topic is, I believe passionately that local councillors should be able to represent the electorate in a transparent and open fashion."
Coun Davy refused to say whether or not she supported the council's action against Falmer, adding: "I daren't say anything otherwise I could be suspended as a councillor.
My loyalties lie with the people in my ward, Chailey."
Falmer For All chairman Paul Samrah said: "We welcome Coun Davy's principled stand. We have said all along this should have been debated in open council and the council's insistence that its legal advice is privileged is merely a smoke screen."
The cabinet is made up of six Lib Dem members - headed by council leader Ann de Vecchi, who has maintained a public silence since the cabinet decision - and three Tories.
Conservative group leader Shirley James said: "If she is not happy doing a cabinet job the best bet is for her to leave."
When asked if she agreed with Coun Davy's stance she added: "No. I have nothing else to say."
