Switch to committee system at Arun agreed after lengthy and heated debate

The Lib Dems, backed by independents, Greens and Labour, argued in favour of changes, which will go live in May 2021.

But the Tories opposed the changes, not in principle they argued, but because they had not had enough information or assurance and felt the decision was being rushed.

The move to a committee system was backed by the majority of councillors at a meeting last night (Wednesday January 15), following recommendations from a governance working party set up to look at the issue.

Officers explained that once a change was agreed, the council would not be able to switch back for another five years.

Francis Oppler (LDem, Orchard), deputy leader and cabinet member for corporate support, said opponents of the move were suggesting the council would be ‘visited by nothing short of the plagues of Egypt’ if it went ahead.

He added: “This recommendation is about the future and how we can make our decisions better for our residents and giving councillors a greater say in those decisions.

“Most importantly it will strengthen the link between residents and their local councillor. For too long cabinet members have been able to hide at a distance from the community.”

He continued: “This recommendation will strengthen local democracy in Arun and make decision making more consensual.”

The Tories’ main issue was with recommendations from a December audit and governance committee, which amongst other things, had suggested a members’ seminar before anything was agreed.

Their first of two amendments, which were both defeated, asked for a decision to be deferred so the issue could go back to the working party so ‘independent assurance’ around the changes could be secured from the audit and governance committee.

Terry Chapman (Con, East Preston), who moved the first amendment, said: “What this amounts to is somebody turning up at your door and saying: ‘I have got something you want because it’s the way of the future. I can’t tell you what it is or how it works but I want you to give me a blank cheque and in five years’ time you can think again’.”

Andy Cooper (Con, Angmering and Findon) added: “This is about taking every single one of us on a journey. It should not be a rushed decision.”

Meanwhile Paul Dendle (Con, Arundel and Walberton) added: “I do not think there is an overall desire to keep the cabinet system but there is a desire to do the right thing and make the right decision and an informed decision.”

Shaun Gunner (Con Rustington East) echoed this and felt there was a misunderstanding that the Tories were unhappy with the outcome of the governance review when they were only taking issue with the process.

Then Ricky Bower (Con, East Preston) suggested some people thought the council’s culture was ‘wrong rather than the organisation’.

Cllr Oppler questioned whether the Tories truly had an open mind on the proposed changes and felt were merely ‘trying to kick this into the long grass so change never happens at all’.

Hugh Coster (Ind, Aldwick East) also described the move as a ‘delaying tactic’, adding: “Its clear either these are obfuscations and delaying tactics or they are pretending they have not got the information.”

But David Edwards (Con, Felpham East) said: “This is a monumental decision as I do not think it’s unreasonable to consider the amendment to make sure we make the right decision for the people of Arun.”