Lib Dems pledge to open up Council decision-making

8.33.00pm GMT Sun 21st Feb 2010

Margaret Cooksey announced Lib Dem plans to improve local democracy

The Liberal Democrats have announced a series of measures they will take to open up Mole Valley District Council if you give them the opportunity to run the Council after this May's elections. Under a Liberal Democrat administration members of the public will have the right to present petitions at Council meetings and speak to them. They will also be able to question the Executive about decisions it makes on behalf of the Council. Area Forums will be revitalised with much greater public involvement in agenda setting and a direct route to Council for their views to be heard.

Announcing the plans, Liberal Democrat Council Group Leader Margaret Cooksey said "We are determined to run an open, transparent administration that will welcome and encourage public involvement. Our measures will ensure that local people play a significant part in decision-making and this will make the Council more effective. Too often we have seen the out-of-touch Conservative administration make poor decisions such as the withdrawal of funding for Citizens' Advice Bureaux - only reversed following a public outcry - or the introduction of evening parking charges in Dorking."