Swim row reveals a lack of debate

19/ 9/2008

EXECUTIVE councillor John Reilly, leisure spokesperson, called a press conference on September 1 to announce the council’s decision to refuse the government’s generous offer of £120,000 to aid the cost of free swimming for the elderly and the young and to build new pools in Trafford.

The council has been on holiday since August 1 – there has been no FULL council meeting since July, nor will there be until October.

In other words, the 12 executive councillors, not THE COUNCIL, made this decision, privately, behind the backs of the remaining 51 councillors.

There has yet again been no FULL council debate on this very important topic.

The then leisure spokesperson, Councillor Paula Pearson, revoked our free gym and swim passes – again no full council debate.

Earlier this year, council leader Councillor Susan Williams tried to stifle a full council debate on the finances for the borough, but the opposition outrage from the remaining councillors was so vocal she backed down.

This, from a woman who pledges her allegiance to democracy?

DEMOCRACY is DEBATE, so without debate democracy is lost.

If we are to be ruled by 12 Executive councillors, who can make all the decisions without approval from full council, why is it necessary to employ the

remaining 51 councillors? Why not get rid of them and save the rate payers £560,000 anually. This money could then be used to finance free swims and gyms and leave a very healthy surplus.

Hilda Laffey and David Longton For and on behalf of the 60+ Group

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