Wide range of the discussion (From Times Series)

Wide range of the discussion

9:46am Friday 14th October 2011 in Opinion

Elizabeth R Lawrence (‘Democracy no longer exists’, Your Views, September 29) complains that Barnet Council’s Residents Forum system is in her view inadequate.

Speaking for the Hendon Residents Forum (which I believe reflects the other two within the borough) I can say that this is certainly not the case.

Our meetings invariably cover a wide range of topics, with the agenda set entirely by members of the public. At our recent meeting in September, held at Copthall School, we discussed issues around parking, traffic, crime, a museum and schools and we referred an urgent issue regarding a park cafe for immediate action by the local environment committee, which always meets in the same building immediately after the forum.

Our forum is not hampered in any way by new rules. It is only marred occasionally by the irresponsible actions of a small group of anti-council agitators who attend with the sole object of shouting out and trying to undermine the democratic debates that take place.

With firm chairmanship, those individuals are fairly swiftly subdued, but it is unfortunate they cannot find a more constructive way to occupy their spare time. The next forum is on Monday, November 21, at Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, commencing at 6pm. All members of the public are welcome.

Councillor Brian Gordon
Chairman, Hendon Residents’ Forum