Oxfordshire Green Party

Oxford Labour group held to account at City Council meeting

10 October 2012

On Monday we saw yet another example of the tyranny of the majority, as Labour Party councillors voted to ignore local feelings around the Temple Cowley pool.

Council Ignores 2,000 strong petition

According to national legislation (the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009), the Council must debate any public motions exceeding 1,500 signatures. The ‘Labour must listen to Oxford’ petition was presented by campaigners angry at the failure of the ruling Labour Group to listen to members of the public on the issues surrounding the proposed closure of Temple Cowley Leisure Centre. Despite being signed by almost 2,000 residents, the ruling Labour Group, after a short debate during which protesters were derided by senior Labour Cllr John Tanner as having ‘too much money’, voted to merely ‘note’ the petition and take no action. The Greens opposed this vote.

Speaking to the petition, Green Councillor David Williams urged the Labour leadership to listen to local people and abandon its costly and unpopular plan to close the Temple Cowley Leisure Centre.

FMI: Cllr David Williams 07531 328931



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