Spat hits the fan!
Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN
Date published: 24 November 2009
A MEETING between residents and councillors in Hollinwood had to be abandoned following a heated spat — over dog dirt.
The Failsworth and Hollinwood District Partnership meeting was closed after less than an hour last night when Councillor Paul Martin invited outspoken resident Warren Bates to step outside.
Councillors were talking about the results of a survey conducted in Failsworth East and West and Hollinwood about their thoughts and feelings on the area.
Warren Bates, who was banned from attending meetings for six months in March under the old Area Committee format, asked partnership members if they felt safe when walking alone at night in the district.
Tory Councillor Paul Martin said he generally felt safe but had felt threatened when he had seen Warren Bates in the street.
He accused Mr Bates of glaring menacingly at him.
Mr Bates told the councillor that he had not been happy to see him allowing his dog foul the street prompting Mr Martin to stand up deny the accusations and ask Mr Bates to step outside to continue the discussion.
The meeting, held at Lyndhurst Primary, Hollinwood, was adjourned while councillors attempted to resolve the situation with some members of the public calling for Councillor Martin to be suspended for threatening conduct.
When an attempt was made to restart the meeting, Emma Alexander, Oldham Council’s executive director for performance, capacity and services, explained the rules of district partnerships, asking residents to respect the chair and wait their turn to speak.
One member of the public interrupted Ms Alexander to ask if Councillor Martin would be suspended and then swore loudly when he was told that chair, Councillor Glenys Butterworth, would explain the next steps.
Councillor Butterworth immediately halted the meeting telling residents that the remaining agenda items would be discussed at a later date. An information sheet handed out at last night’s meeting stated that the chair’s ruling may not be questioned and will always be final.
If anyone interrupts proceedings, the chair can first warn the person then order them to leave if their behaviour continues.
The final step to close the meeting.
