‘Marathon’ Arun meeting adjourned a third time after ‘unedifying display’

Arun Civic Centre, Littlehampton ENGSUS00120130418113852Arun Civic Centre, Littlehampton ENGSUS00120130418113852
Arun Civic Centre, Littlehampton ENGSUS00120130418113852
A ‘marathon’ Arun council meeting had to be adjourned for a third time this month after an ‘unedifying display’ of ‘rudeness, disrespect and a failure to stop and listen to others’.

As there was still business left over from the previous two occasions, last night provided to be another late night finish for councillors, with agenda items still needing to be heard at a later date.

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Although there were moments of cross-party agreement, the meeting became more fractious as it continued with a raft of points of order raised.

Amanda Worne (LDem, Yapton), chairman of the council, was interrupted several times and had to intervene on a number of occasions to keep the meeting moving.

Towards the end of the night Paul Dendle (Con, Arundel and Walberton), deputy leader of the Conservative group, expressed frustration that his hand had been raised many times and then ignored during the virtual meeting.

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Then feeling he had been interrupted mid-speech, he accused Mrs Worne of ‘shutting him down’ and felt the whole meeting had ‘become a shambles’ under her chairmanship.

Then minutes later when he was asked to vote on an agenda item he questioned if ‘there was any point’.

Mrs Worne then questioned whether Mr Dendle should be allowed to speak any further at the meeting.

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At this point Ricky Bower (Con, East Preston) moved a vote of no confidence in Mrs Worne as chairman.

This was seconded by Andy Cooper (Con, Angmering and Findon), who said: “Her behaviour tonight has been disgraceful.”

But monitoring officer Nick Bennett ruled the motion could not legally be heard.

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He then issued a stern rebuke to councillors, saying: “I think a lot of members tonight should look themselves in the mirror and reflect on their own conduct and not the conduct of other members but themselves.”

Mr Bennett added: “What I have seen tonight is the most unedifying display at times of rudeness, disrespect and a failure to stop and listen to others and a preference for interruptions, often at the wrong time.

“All of these things are unacceptable and all of these are things which are absolutely in your [Mrs Worne’s] right to challenge.”

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He described being ‘extremely angry’ and suggested the constitution was not a ‘weapon to prevent the proceedings of the meeting and some of the things I have heard tonight have absolutely shocked me’.

Mrs Worne suggested the meeting be adjourned at this point and this was backed up by chief executive Nigel Lynn.

She said: “I feel quite embarrassed. There’s a real lack of respect in this council to consider people’s feelings and how this behaviour affects other people.”

Mr Lynn said: “I’m equally appalled by the behaviour I have seen this evening.”