Are they so different?

On the 21 June, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Governance Cllr Tim Prater (Lib Dem), told the world the newly elected administration of Folkestone & Hythe District Council:

Cllr Prater said these words during his motion to introduce a Committee System model of governance be adopted by Folkestone and Hythe District Council with effect from the Annual Council meeting in May 2024. During his motion he made it clear that a working group would be set up and meet in public and publish its findings:

To date there has been one meeting of the Council’s Constitution Working Group; during this new administration; which took place on Wednesday 21 June. Another is due this week on the 31 August. The first meeting was held behind closed doors. So did not meet in public as Cllr Prater openly stated. The meeting on the 12 July produced a limited agenda and minutes

The Constitution Working Group which will take place this week on the 31 August, has also produced a limited agenda, but on the agenda is:

Meeting arrangements (public access)

To consider the governance arrangements of the Constitution Working Group and whether meetings should be open to the public.

We were told by Cllr Prater that all meetings would be in public, when clearly this has not been the case. So is the new administration so different from the old Tory led one, who so often hid behind closed doors? We’ll find out on Thursday 31 August 2023.

The Shepway Vox Team

Dissent is NOT a Crime