I had two audit
committee meetings on Wednesday, an exercise in contrasts.
In the morning I
attended Essex Fire Authority's Audit, Governance and Review Committee. This
was a committee that allowed all to comment, that did not censor what members
wanted to say or ask.
In the evening I
was at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Audit Committee. Here Chair Davidson
had a rather North Korean approach to running the meeting, deciding that
censorship was the order of the day.
That her government
is about to create "significant adverse impact on council services"
is of vital importance, and yet she decided not to allow me to give voice to my
concerns.
The risk as
described above is labelled as "almost certain" and
"catastrophic". Government policy is creating this situation, and
must be challenged, despite what Tory Davidson may want or wish.
Censorship,
especially and particularly at an audit committee, is completely unacceptable.
Tory Chair Davidson edict on 'political' comments is an affront to democracy
and a barrier to open debate. I have no confidence in her chairing and
impartiality. Change your ways, Cllr Davidson, or resign.
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