Fury over 'missed opportunities' to debate local issues
Councillors who sit on an influential local NYCC committee have raised concerns that opportunities to debate important matters for the Selby area could be being missed.
Politics & local government
North Yorkshire County Council's Selby Area Committee is supposed to meet quarterly to give the community and its representatives the chance to discuss and make decisions on the way in which services are delivered in the County's most southerly district.
But disquiet is growing amongst those who sit on the committee after three of the last four meetings were cancelled by the committee's chairwoman. The committee has in fact met only once in 2014, when it convened in April. Meanwhile meetings in January, June and September were all cancelled and were not subsequently rescheduled.
Two members, both from opposite sides of the political divide, have told Selby Online how they fear Selby's influence could be being eroded as a result of the failure of the Council to meet in the district.
They say that over 2014 Selby has already missed out on its chance to have a proper debate on matters including High Speed Two, changes to flood defences, cuts to the library services and the formation of a new consortium scheme for doctors surgeries in the area. Another highly controversial change to occur without the scrutiny from the committee was the Police Commissioner's decision to overhaul policing, resulting in the loss of a dedicated Chief Inspector for our area and the closure of Selby station's custody cells.
The Committee is chaired by Cllr Liz Casling (Con, Escrick) who was elected to the position for a one year term in July 2013. By the time of the next scheduled meeting on December 15th, she will have been in the role for more than half-a-year longer than her original term, putting her at odds with the authority's constitution.
Councillors in charge of NYCC's area committees, receives an additional £3,088 on top of their basic allowance for taking on additional responsibility and duties on behalf of the committee. The Council's website shows the extra allowance was paid to Cllr Casling for the 2013/14 financial year but it is has not yet been revealed if she is in line for any payment in 2014/15.
Selby Online asked Cllr Casling to comment on her record as Chair of the Selby Area Committee and also whether she would be returning any of the allowance she received for the role. As of the time of publication, we are still to receive any form of response.
A County Hall spokesperson told us, “North Yorkshire County Council is pleased to confirm that the next meeting of Selby Area Committee will take place on Monday 15 December 2014 at 6 pm at Community House on Portholme Road, Selby.
“The committee has been cancelled on a number of occasions due to changes in business and report schedules but the December meeting has a packed agenda. The meeting will include input from the North Yorkshire Chief Constable David Jones, and presentations regarding changes to library services, stronger communities, and the North Yorkshire Community Safety Partnership.
“Area Committees are going through a period of change and evolution, and so Members will also consider what works best for their locality. As ever, members of the public are very welcome to attend and any public questions for the meeting should be forwarded to jane.1.wilkinson@northyorks.gov.uk by noon on Tuesday 9 December 2014.”