Public gagged at Hemsworth council meeting
MEMBERS of the public were thrown out of a town council meeting this week after refusing to stop asking questions.
Coun Graham West, chairman of Hemsworth Town Council, was forced to ask around 20 people to leave Tuesday's meeting when some of them persisted in querying and making comments after the 15 minutes allocated to public question time was over.
Some became agitated after claiming none of their questions – on subjects, including the sale of Hemsworth Sports Complex and Section 106 money – had been answered properly.
Coun West asked them several times to quieten down and he repeatedly warned they would be asked leave if they did not allow the meeting to continue. But when the disruption persisted he asked all members of the public to go.
But the decision was not supported by all council members. Following the eviction, Coun John Richardson walked out of the council offices in protest, saying he disagreed with Coun West's decision.
The public were thrown out under a standing order 109, which allows the chairman to remove people from the meeting if they interrupt proceedings.
Following the commotion, Coun Graham West said: "This will continue for every meeting until they start abiding by the rules. No other council would put up with it.
"I am very disappointed at Coun Richardson's attitude. "
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Weather for Wakefield
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
