I’m looking forward to the webcasting of council meetings at Crawley Borough Council, which should happen once meetings move to the new town hall.  Webcasting will enable many more Crawley residents to see what really happens at meetings and how councillors conduct themselves.

Last week’s Full Council meeting felt ominous, as to how the Council, now operating with a Labour majority after two years of no overall control, and with a new leader, intends to conduct business. 

First up was a petition signed by over 1,000 residents, calling for more social housing, with the petitioner saying that some Crawley affordable housing rents were among the highest in the country.  Labour proposed that the petition just be noted with no further action, whereas the Conservative Group proposed while it should be noted, that Council Officers produce an independent briefing for all councillors, so we could have accurate information to enable the petitioners concerns to be considered at a later point.

This appeared to flummox the Labour leader, who firstly tried to stop our proposal being voted on.  On failing with that, he then suggested adjourning the meeting.  When that failed, he then asked if it could be informally agreed without voting.  Everything possible was being done to avoid voting on a sensible Conservative proposal, rather than addressing the concerns of Crawley residents.  After much time wasting, Labour eventually voted for our proposal. 

Next up was the Tilgate Park PSPO to fine dog owners whose dogs aren’t on leads.  Labour totally ignored the findings of the highly-responded-to public consultation and forced through including the entire golf course area to the PSPO, much to the dismay of most Conservative councillors.  They also voted down our proposal for further public consultation.

Lastly, was a highly-political Labour motion attacking the national Conservative Party, of no relevance to the Council whatsoever.  After proposing the motion with speeches, Labour forced through a vote denying all Conservative councillors any right to respond.  Labour had killed democracy, so with a few minutes of the meeting remaining, we walked out while Labour councillors jeered.  Webcasting really can’t come soon enough!

Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group

27th July 2022