Ellie Ames 17 May 2024

Council suspends meeting amid disorder over 20mph ‘frustration’

Council suspends meeting amid disorder over 20mph ‘frustration’ image
Image: Henry Franklin / Shutterstock.com

A Ramsey Town Council meeting was suspended and a man was asked to leave after the agenda descended into a heated discussion about a 20mph traffic zone.

The council, in Cambridgeshire, said the chair asked a man to leave the meeting on 9 May after he spoke over a councillor despite being warned about ‘disorderly conduct’.

When he did not leave, the chair suspended the meeting.

The council meeting was so busy it reached capacity under fire regulations amid a 'misconception' that it was a public meeting about the speed restriction, leading the chair to extend the alloted time for public partipation from 20 to 30 minutes.

In a statement, the council said: ‘Strength of feeling does not mean that a full council meeting can turn into a public debate about a single issue, in this case 20mph.’

It added: ‘Councillors should be able to respond without interruption, heckling or abuse.’

The council said members did see the ‘emotion and frustration’ about the 20mph zone.

Cambridgeshire County Council agreed to introduce the speed restriction within the built-up part of Ramsey in November.

Ramsey had consulted on the plans, receiving 10 ‘formal communications’, consisting of three complaints, two in favour and five questions.

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Kinship Supervising Social Worker

Essex County Council
£38478.0000 - £51834.0000 per annum
. England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Approved Mental Health Professional/ Social Worker - AMHP

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£44,982 - £54,507 (plus £3,000 annual AMPH al
Approved Mental Health Professional/ So... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Chief Executive

North Yorkshire Council
£205,749 to £224,986
North Yorkshire Council is seeking an exceptional leader to become our next Chief Executive. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Social Worker - Children in Care, Mid Essex

Essex County Council
£38487.0000 - £51834.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Children in Care, Mid Essex Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 18 Mont England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Recruitment Training and Support Officer (Fostering)

Essex County Council
£26284.0000 - £33256.0000 per annum
Recruitment Training and Support Officer (Fostering)Permanent, Full Time£26,284 to £33,256 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner