Councillor appeals for better behaviour after heated debate

In a motion put forward by Conservative leader Paul Dundas, it was requested council leader David King write to the chancellor to urge a review of the decision to means-test the winter fuel payment.

In an impassioned speech, Labour councillor Tim Young proposed an amendment which would have referenced “failings of the previous Conservative government” as justification for Labour’s decision.

He said: “My advice is check the facts before you parrot a motion drawn up by lackeys in Tory central office.

“And what a nerve to even mention the dilemma that pensioners face between heating and eating.

“This is a phenomenon that has evolved over the last 14 years because of successive Tory governments taking money away from children, vulnerable residents and the elderly to fund tax cuts for the rich.”

He continued: “I say to every pensioner in Colchester: turn your heating on this winter, buy the food that you need, because a Labour government is here to look after you, backed up by our Labour MP.”

When Tory councillors laughed at Mr Young’s speech, he retorted: “They don’t like it, because it’s true.”

Conservative councillor Lewis Barber said Mr Young’s speech was “truly extraordinary”.

He said: “Pensioners can’t just simply turn on the heating and eat some food – some of them have to make very real, difficult decisions.”

When summing up the motion, Mr Young said: “They don’t care about the dignity of people.

“Oh, they don’t like it, do they – they don’t like it because they haven’t learnt a thing.

“Perhaps you will apologise for some of the policies of the last 14 years.”

Mr Dundas said Labour “don’t like [the decision to means-test winter fuel payments] because your government has made a decision you really, really hate.

“I think this is probably your Poll Tax – I can see it in your eyes, you know it is too.

“Everybody in this chamber deep down, deep down, whichever party you are, you know this is the wrong decision.”

The amendment was defeated and Mrs Scott-Boutell said she was unhappy with the nature of the debate.

She said: “We’ve heard people tearing lumps out of each other from all sides, and actually that does us no good – it’s not dignified, and I do actually find it distressing.

“Those that have been in the chamber a long time will remember the mayor’s fine for when a phone went off, and it was £20.

"I’m actually mindful of starting to think if things stray into the tearing lumps out of each other, there will be a mayor’s fine.”

A COLCHESTER councillor has called for a change in behaviour after a heated debate threatened to get out of hand. 

Berechurch councillor Dave Harris has appealed to his colleagues on Colchester Council, saying “politeness should come first”. 

A heated debate broke out at the last full council meeting when members of the Conservative group put forward a motion about the Winter Fuel Allowance following changes made by the Government. 

Labour's Tim Young made an emotional response to the motion, which he described as a “robust” defence of decisions made by his party. 

Defence - Councillor Tim Young spoke at the meeting

He said: “There is going to be passionate debates, but you can conduct them in a in a civilised and respectful fashion. I think they should reflect on their behaviour and perhaps next time they will be able to take criticism a bit better.” 

Mr Harris brought his concerns to the monitoring officer.

He said: ”I'm really talking about a matter of principle here. For me, politeness should come first, last and always. 

“The full council is not like Parliament. You hear Parliament all the time, don't you? I just think it's unacceptable in this day and age. There ought to be a level of politeness in any debate.” 

Upset - Councillor Dave Harris has called for better behaviour

He said each speaker should experience the same amount of respect and should be listened to. 

Labour group leader Julie Young said: “We always expected it to be a robust discussion between the various councillors on that particular topic of debate. 

“You would expect other councillors in the chamber to respect the variety of voices around the chamber and to listen to the contributions of those councillors with respect and then wait for your turn to speak. 

Councillor Julie Young (Image: Newsquest)

“We live in a world where there is a lot of division. And we do need to do our bit to respect one another and to listen and behave in the kind of manner I expect our residents expect us to behave in.” 

Green leader Mark Goacher echoed the call for reflection. 

He said: “I think every member of every political group needs to think about what they're doing in, in the chamber. It's just about everyone. Maybe just making the effort to tone it down a bit.” 

Councillor Mark Goacher (Image: Newsquest)

Conservative leader Paul Dundas praised the general behaviour at council meetings. 

He said: ”At the end of the day, councillors care about things and sometimes they get very passionate, but generally behaviour in Colchester is actually of the high standards. I don't think there's a general problem.” 

Councillor Paul Dundas

But Liberal Democrats leader Martin Goss felt that Labour councillors were “deflecting” from making “an extremely unpopular decision”. 

He said: “We're all governed by the code of conduct and we are all asked to be respectful of each other.

Councillor Martin Goss

"Personally, I think it's just deflecting from the real issue with the poorest in society being affected by the Labour Government and I think some of the Labour councillors find that quite difficult.”