Row over move to stop councillors 'rabbiting on'

A row has broken out over plans to limit the number of questions councillors can ask at meetings.

Members of Boston Borough Council's overview and scrutiny committee discussed the proposals at a meeting on Tuesday.

It heard the motion had been put forward amid concerns that persistent questions from "the same councillors" led to delays and meant some voices were not being heard.

One of those opposed to the idea, Councillor Anne Dorrian, said she believed some members just wanted to "get home to the Horlicks" instead of sitting in meetings.

Under the proposals, councillors would be able to submit one question per full council meeting, as well as a further related supplementary question.

Councillor Barrie Pierpoint said: "I'm in favour of this particular motion for the simple reason that we come to council meetings and we listen to one or two people just having a personal pop at portfolio holders – more or less like a personal attack.

"As far as I'm concerned, I don't want to sit and listen to some person rabbiting on, having a go at people all night in a council meeting.

"Quite frankly, if anybody's got 13 or 14 questions to ask, they can take those to the actual committees, or to the portfolio holder or to the cabinet," he added.

Councillor Stephen Woodliffe echoed the sentiments.

"It concentrates the mind upon what you want to ask, rather than a whole series of questions which, of course, everyone else has to sit and listen to."

However, Dorrian told the chamber: "You shouldn't be frightened of questions – that's what you're there for.

"That's how it should be."

"If you're doing the job properly, you shouldn't be running scared," she added.

The proposed motion is due to be considered by councillors at a full council meeting at a future date, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service,

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