Liberal Democrats Pledge to Open Up The Council For Petitioners

As part of the ongoing drive to open up the Council, Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats are to propose new rules under which a residents' petition carrying at least 30 signatures will trigger a debate at a Full Council meeting. A report to a meeting of the Council's General Purposes Committee taking place on Tuesday 13th July recommends a minimum requirement of at least 1,000 signatures before Full Council considers a petition, but the Lib Dems are proposing to make the petitions system more open and responsive to the concerns of local residents.

Cllr Phil Merryman, Liberal Democrat Goldington Ward and Chair of the General Purposes Committee said, "This is about making Councillors more accountable to local residents. As Liberal Democrats we would find it hard to justify having a large number needed like the 4,000 signatures in Tory East Northants or over 1,000 in Tory Central Bedfordshire.

"Setting the level at 30 means Councillors will more accountable in their response to petitions. They'll have to think seriously about the issues that concern residents in Bedford Borough."

This radical proposal by Liberal Democrats on Bedford Borough Council follows a series of moves to open up the Council under Lib Dem Mayor Dave Hodgson is the latest move to open up the Council more for local people. Already they have made it possible for residents to turn up at Full Council and Committee meetings unannounced to ask questions. This is on top of opening up the finances by putting all transactions over £1000 on the Council's website.

Cllr Merryman concluded, "Local people want to know that THEIR Council is working for them, and if it isn't they need to be able to challenge us."

The details of the petitions scheme agreed by the General Purposes Committee will go forward as a recommendation to a meeting of the Full Council, on the following evening, Wednesday 14th July.