MEMBERS of The Campaign for Local Democracy in Mid Devon attended the Cabinet meeting of Mid Devon District Council on December 19 to speak in support of a recommendation that the full Council agree to the formation of a Working Group to carry out a comprehensive review of the Council’s governance arrangements.

The Working Group would consist of 12 councillors.

The Campaign Group is arguing that the present system which allows a small number of councillors in Cabinet to over-ride the clear wishes of the majority of the Council is undemocratic.

Mrs Judy Tucker of Crediton asked the Cabinet to ensure that the review would not be blighted by scare stories about the failure of the previous committee system operated by the Council.

She said: "That system was different from anything that is likely to be proposed now.”

Alderman David Nation was assured that the Council would ascertain details of modified committee structures that have been introduced by councils up and down the country since legislation was passed to allow that.

He also asked whether meetings of the Working Group would be open to members of the public and was told that there was no reason why they should not be.

Cabinet member Nikki Woollatt, Independent, Cullompton, moved an amendment to ensure that arrangements used elsewhere to establish best practice would be considered and this was approved.

This recommendation will be put to the full Council meeting in Tiverton at 6pm on Wednesday, January 8.