VB’s live coverage of last night’s Cabinet meeting saw some fireworks between Cllr Lumley and Cllr Pugh, leading to accusations of “censorship of the worst kind” and “political posturing” respectively.
During each Cabinet meeting, there is an opportunity for those councillors that attend to raise questions, after each item on the agenda, of the Cabinet.
At last night’s meeting there was much anticipation – and increased audience – as it was expected that there would be discussion about the future of Westminster House, which had been threatened with closure.
Following the presentation by Cabinet Member Cllr Peter Bingham, about Delivering Better Services – Service Re-Design, which included that no immediate decision would be made about Westminster House until its Working group reported back, councillor for Pan, Cllr Geoff Lumley, posed a question.
It started, “Is this not the case that you a just putting off the closure of Westminster House?” He pointed to paragraph 17 of the paper being discussed, claiming that it gave proof that it would eventually be closed.
He went on to say that a delay in the decision would continue the anxiety of those being cared for at Westminster House – and that of those doing the caring.
The council’s Leader and Chair for that Cabinet, Cllr David Pugh, responded with some irritation that Cllr Lumley was prejudging it and that his question was raising anxiety. Cllr Cousins made it clear that she was none to pleased with the remark either.
Cllr Lumley responded, “I’ve clearly touched a nerve. Paragraph 17 makes it clear that you will close Westminster House. Will you give a guarantee that Westminster House won’t close?”
“I won’t give guarantee, as we won’t pre-judge this before report,” responded Cllr Pugh.
At this point someone in the audience called out, “I can’t listen to any more lies,” and about half the public audience got up with her and left.
Cllr Pugh said of Cllr Lumley’s comment, “This is political posturing of the worst kind.”
When Cllr Lumley asked if he could ask another question, Cllr Pugh’s rebuttal was swift, stating that it was the Chairman’s prerogative to not take questions.
Cllr Lumley relied, “This is censorship of the worst kind. I want to ask a question about refuse collection – there’s great anger about this on the streets of the Island,” but to no avail as Cllr Pugh refused to allow Cllr Lumley to ask further questions, pointing out that he could ask questions at the end of the meeting.
Image: Jenny Downing under CC BY 2.0
