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Bid for referendum on Fylde Borough Council decisions Bid for referendum on Fylde Borough Council decisions
(2 days later)
Campaigners are aiming to force a referendum on the way decisions are made at Fylde Borough Council.Campaigners are aiming to force a referendum on the way decisions are made at Fylde Borough Council.
The Fylde Civic Awareness Group (FCAG) wants the authority to go back to the previous system of committees making decisions rather than the cabinet.The Fylde Civic Awareness Group (FCAG) wants the authority to go back to the previous system of committees making decisions rather than the cabinet.
FCAG's Fred Talbot claimed the cabinet system was undemocratic as only seven councillors were involved in decisions. FCAG's Fred Moor claimed the cabinet system was undemocratic as only seven councillors were involved in decisions.
Leader of Fylde Council David Eaves argued the whole council was able to take part in outcomes.Leader of Fylde Council David Eaves argued the whole council was able to take part in outcomes.
'Not represented''Not represented'
At the launch of a petition at the Glendower Hotel, St Annes, Mr Talbot said there was "a swell of support for what we are doing". At the launch of a petition at the Glendower Hotel, St Annes, Mr Moor said there was "a swell of support for what we are doing".
The cabinet system was introduced in the wake of the Local Government Act 2000.The cabinet system was introduced in the wake of the Local Government Act 2000.
It was seen as being a more direct way of running a local council, but some say there has been less debate before decisions are taken.It was seen as being a more direct way of running a local council, but some say there has been less debate before decisions are taken.
This challenge in the Fylde to return to the old committee system is certainly an interesting development, a chance perhaps to reflect on how things work.This challenge in the Fylde to return to the old committee system is certainly an interesting development, a chance perhaps to reflect on how things work.
There is a feeling that life in opposition has become more difficult under the cabinet structure, but whether there is an appetite for a wider rethink remains to be seen.There is a feeling that life in opposition has become more difficult under the cabinet structure, but whether there is an appetite for a wider rethink remains to be seen.
He said: "With the previous system all 51 councillors had the right to vote. At present, councillors only have the right to ask questions and they have no right to vote."He said: "With the previous system all 51 councillors had the right to vote. At present, councillors only have the right to ask questions and they have no right to vote."
Palmira Stafford, a fellow campaigner, said: "I live in Kilnhouse ward and none of our three councillors who represent ward are on the cabinet.Palmira Stafford, a fellow campaigner, said: "I live in Kilnhouse ward and none of our three councillors who represent ward are on the cabinet.
"So in effect we feel we are not represented.""So in effect we feel we are not represented."
Conservative councillor Mr Eaves said the argument there was only seven councillors involved in decisions was "untrue".Conservative councillor Mr Eaves said the argument there was only seven councillors involved in decisions was "untrue".
He said: "There are also committees within the cabinet system which run day-to-day working of Fylde Borough Council."He said: "There are also committees within the cabinet system which run day-to-day working of Fylde Borough Council."
"If a decision is called in, it can then be sent to the whole council where all 51 councillors can debate it for as long as they wish.""If a decision is called in, it can then be sent to the whole council where all 51 councillors can debate it for as long as they wish."
Five per cent of the electorate must sign the petition to hold a referendum, which would cost the authority an estimated £100,000.Five per cent of the electorate must sign the petition to hold a referendum, which would cost the authority an estimated £100,000.
Ms Stafford said it was "a price worth paying" to return to the committee system.Ms Stafford said it was "a price worth paying" to return to the committee system.