Setting the Question

On the 5th June I attended the Policy and Finance Committee. Amongst the normal issues, the agenda had a small mention of Pages Field.

The issue of setting the Page Field referendum question came up. We were aware that the questions was to be set by the three committee chairs which are all members of the Liberal Democrat party and could be seen as slightly biased.

Cllr Paul Record suggested that we should have Conservative and Labour representation in the group. Cllr Goodchild (Grovebury Ward's Lib Dem Town Councillor) who was chairing the meeting stated that as the Conservatives has voted against the referendum, he couldn't see why we should be involved in setting the question!

I pointed out that when his Lib Dem group decided to apply for planning permission in the first place, as the majority of Council members voted in favour, it became a "council decision" and one we must all suffer as members of the council. Therefore the fact that a referendum will take place makes it a town issue and not a party issue so in the interests of democracy, all parties should be represented.

After some thought, he agreed to this and it was decided to allow the other group leaders to be involved in setting the question. So now Peter Rawcliffe (Cons) and Maurice Blackman (Lab) are to play their part. Although with 3/5 of the group coloured yellow I wonder what the results will be....