MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands Councillors hesitate over “Constitutional Development”
According to a majority of the Falklands elected members of the Legislature, the Islands is not yet ready for a further major democratic step forward.
A recommendation by the Government's Chief Executive, Dr. Michael Blanch, ?To take forward enhanced portfolios responsibilities for elected members in the context of current procedures' received a generally negative response during a Select Committee debate.
The Chief Executive wanted to reduce the number of Committees which the eight elected Councillors currently sit on. Dr. Blanch said, ?The present committee system is in disarray, there are too many committees (said to be around twenty), most without authority', and which he called, ?talking shops'.
He proposed 4 service committees, with four Councillors and four lay people on each, while all eight elected Councillors would form a new Policy and Resources Committee.
This new Committee, which would meet in public before the closed Executive Council monthly meetings, would advise on policy and approve financial and resource provision. The Policy and Resources Committee would replace the current General Purposes Committee, which Dr. Blanch called, ? a closed and unconstitutional body'.
Councillor Mike Summers, who was Chairman of the Select Committee, appeared to favour the so-called, Development of Councillors' Portfolio Responsibilities', but he received little immediate support from his elected colleagues.
Councillor Jan Cheek while not dismissing outright the constitutional revision, said, ?Clearly people have a lot of misgivings about some of these changes. I am not sure that we have reached what we want yet'. She favoured a continuation of discussions on the subject, saying, ?I think we have to move on with responsibilities for Councillors'.
Councillor John Birmingham was much more outspoken in his objection to the proposed changes. ?I am not enthusiastic about this at all. The Falkland Islands needs time to evaluate?..I don't believe the time is right'.
Councillor Roger Edwards, representing the farming communities, expressed similar sentiments, saying, ?We should leave it as it is, I don't think we should go all out to change the system we have at present'.
However all is not lost for those like Dr. Blanch who favour change. Plans are now for Councillors to meet again and decide whether to amend the current system or make changes to the Chief Executive's Constitutional Development proposals.
by Patrick Watts ? Port Stanley
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesCommenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!