The views expressed here are those of Ian Harvey. Copyright Ian Harvey 2020

THE PERSONAL WEB SITE OF CLLR IAN HARVEY, FORMER LEADER OF SPELTHORNE BOROUGH COUNCIL AND COUNCILLOR FOR THE SUNBURY EAST WARD. MEMBER OF UNITED SPELTHORNE GROUP

PRESS RELEASE 5th AUGUST 2020

SPELTHORNE COUNCIL VOTES FOR RETURN TO MORE DEMOCRATIC “COMMITTEE SYSTEM”

On Thursday 30th July a majority of Spelthorne Council’s Members voted for a return to the democratic “Committee System” of governance, to come into effect by the May 2021 Annual Council meeting. The motion was proposed by Cllr Helen Harvey, seconded by Cllr Olivia Rybinski, and slightly amended by Cllr Doerfel; seconded by Cllr Siva. It was passed by a majority of all Cllrs (20 / 17). All Tory Members opposed this motion.

The motion followed the resignation of 6 Conservatives (5 being Cabinet) in June, and for the first time in Spelthorne’s history the Tories lost majority control of the council.

Cllr Helen Harvey said: ” I am delighted that almost all opposition came together to support this motion returning us to the Committee System. This is perhaps the most profound and dramatic motion to be passed in Spelthorne in the last 20 years. I wish to thank everyone who assisted and supported this motion which demonstrates the minority Tory group will not have it all their own way.’’

Cllr Ian Harvey, former Council Leader, commented: “The previous “Strong Leader” model can work well, in particular when there is a clear majority for one party. However, the current minority Tory administration have not recognised this and seemed to think they could just carry on, ignoring the new political reality. The “Committee System” will reflect much more closely the political balance in the chamber. Furthermore, we are now faced with what will inevitably be a “lame duck” administration, who following this clear vote have no real mandate to govern, and need to recognise they are now merely a caretaker administration until these changes come into effect next May.’’