At Saturday's successful Demonstration against the proposed closure of Huddersfield Accident and Emergency and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary Kirklees Green Party Leader Councillor Andrew Cooper called for all Council buildings and vehicles to be allowed to display 'Hands off HRI' and 'Save our A&E' posters.
Councillor Cooper said,
"At last Wednesday's Full Council meeting all parties on Kirklees gave unequivocal backing to the campaign to protect NHS Services in the area. A very tangible and visible example of that support would be to allow the Council's Town Halls, Libraries, offices and other public buildings to display posters and banners in support of the campaign to protect local health services. The Council could also allow its vehicles such as vans and even bin waggons to be used to display appropriate posters. We need to demonstrate that it is the whole community and the institutions that represent it that oppose these proposals. I will raise this idea with other Party leaders and the Chief Executive of the Council."
No, that would be unconstitutional and undemocratic - sets a dangerous precedent and some tax payers might disagree spending their taxes that way.
ReplyDeleteMight also compromise future legal issues with the NHS about the
moves.
Also, it could forcing officers to undertake work of a political nature which might compromise their contracts with the Council.
And it could also put in serious jeopardy future working relationships between NHS and council staff to the detriment of residents.
Can you tell me where this suggestion is in conflict with the Kirklees Constitution? I don't believe this is undemocratic as the views expressed in the posters would represent the settled and unanimous view of the council in a democratic vote. Who said anything about spending Council money on this? I think this proposal would not force employees to undertake work of a political nature. It is allowing them to display posters consistent with the views of the democratically elected representatives of the Council. This course of action is not one I would normally advocate but this is not a normal situation and as such I believe we need to powerfully express the views of democratically elected institutions such as the local Council.
ReplyDeleteThe Council's constitution, specifically the Officer' Code of Conduct places demands on officers that would prevent them taking sides in what is obviously a political issue. That all political parties agree about the issues makes no difference. It is undemocratic because officers would, like it or not, be forced to indicate a preference in the argument. In other words, what you're advocating, is forcing officers to comply with what you believe is the majority view. That's wrong and very naive of you. You've also ignored my other points about future relationships with the NHS. Imagine having to undertake sensitive and life-changing work between the two organisations in the future after officers had been compelled to contradict the views of the NHS during the consultation. It is also against an officer's contract above a certain grade to take part in political activities. You and others have made this issue political.
ReplyDelete