The following blog has been sent as a letter to the Newcastle Herald today (22 June 2009) in support of a published latter by John Sutton:
John Sutton’s criticisms of Cr Buman and the conservative block that now controls Newcastle Council are completely justified.
As former councillors with over 16 years collective experience, we are well placed to comment.
I believe Cr Buman’s behaviour was characteristic. However, it also reflects on the leadership and the apparent level of understanding of Council’s Code of Meeting Practice by Lord Mayor John Tate, who has 28 years of councillor experience, including 10 years in the chair.
It was absolutely inexcusable to allow Cr Buman to include his irrelevant motion as an addendum. In my experience incompetent and biased rulings and filibustering on issues Cr Tate didn’t support were hallmarks of the past two terms.
This is not a minor, esoteric matter about meeting procedure. Tate’s and Buman’s actions were a major abuse of local democracy.
Keith Parsons.
