A Green councillor has warned of a ‘democratic deficit’ in the Heavitree & Whipton Barton Division in Exeter. Councillor Carol Bennett made the warning due to the absence of any councillor representing Heavitree being involved in discussions on the next steps following the suspension of the Active Streets Trial (AST).
Councillor Bennett has written to Councillor Carol Whitton, one of two Labour County councillors – neither of who are elected in the division – chosen to have oversight of the proposals.
Councillor Carol Bennett said:
“There is a total absence of political representation from Heavitree in the oversight of proposals for what comes next after the Active Streets Trial. The Labour County councillor for Heavitree and Whipton Barton has been absent from the previous two HATOC meetings and has failed to contribute in any way to discussions on the significant decisions that need to happen. There is a democratic deficit in Heavitree.
“I am demanding this be put right. I have written to Councillor Carol Whitton [1] – one of only two Labour councillors granted oversight of what County officers are proposing and neither of who represent the division or the wards concerned. I have requested a meeting involving all the councillors in Heavitree ward and offering an opportunity for the County councillor for the division, Danny Barnes, to get involved. It is vital that all councillors representing the area hear and help shape ideas on the proposed focus groups, planned process and intended outcomes.”
Notes
[1] Letter in full
Dear Cllr Carol Whitton,
At the July 2024 meeting of Exeter HATOC, the Committee were told, in a verbal presentation, that officers had already started work on planning the promised ‘focus groups’, being held as part of next engagement steps in Heavitree, following the suspension of the Active Streets Trial (AST).
You made very clear at this meeting, in response to questions, that you and Cllr Yvonne Atkinson were the only two councillors who will have oversight of what the officers propose, and Exeter HATOC, as a whole, will have no further say over the remit and role of the focus groups and how they will inform the next steps.
The DCC Division Councillor for Heavitree and Whipton Barton, was not cited as being part of this oversight process and was not present at the June and July HATOC meetings to contribute to the discussions and represent residents on the significant decisions, for what I believe was a sensitive and difficult engagement process.
As City Councillor for Heavitree ward, I want to share my concern about what I see as a democratic deficit in the Devon County Division on this matter. There needs to be Division representation working with yourself and the Deputy Chair to oversee the process.
Given this situation, I would like to ask for a meeting with yourself, Cllr Atkinson, Cllr Danny Barnes, Cllr Catherine Rees and Cllr Lucy Haigh, to be given a briefing on the proposed focus group, remit, process and intended outcomes. It seems reasonable that the ward councillors have an opportunity to understand the current thinking and can input any thoughts to help achieve productive outcomes.
Councillor Carol Bennett