Timing of meetings attacked (From Witney Gazette)

Timing of meetings attacked

9:00am Friday 7th April 2006 in Witney By Rosalind Miles

A DISTRICT councillor who is standing down in the May elections has hit out at the council for holding its meetings during working hours.

Gareth Epps (LibDem), who has represented for Freeland and Hanborough for the past six years, says West Oxfordshire District Council will lose out on people who could make valuable contributions because they cannot attend day-time meetings.

He said: "The council will have a real problem in the future if it continues the practice of holding meetings in office hours. It is a direct disincentive to a substantial group of people who have a valuable contribution to make to the council and its business.

"Most people work full-time. It really restricts people who serve to those who are self-employed or retired, which is a great shame.

"Also when there are evening meetings, they begin at 6pm, which is quite early. Other local authorities start at 6.30pm or 7pm, which would be a lot more practical for people to get to. And the times of meetings are often changed at the last minute. About one third of councillors work, and have the same problem. I am 33, and have got to a stage where I have to put my career first."

In June 2003, Mr Epps resigned from the district council's finance and management scrutiny committee in protest over meetings being held in the day.

"The timings of meetings are up to the members of the relevant committee."

Barry Norton, leader of the cabinet

At the time, he criticised the council for being 'behind the times'.

Mr Epps works in London as a community relations manager for Crossrail.

He has left his home in Charlbury, and moved to Reading. He said: "It is the right time for me to move on.

"I feel I wasn't doing my constituents justice."

Barry Norton, leader of the cabinet, said: "The timings of meetings are up to the members of the relevant committee.

"They cast a vote and meet at the most popular time.

"Not all the committees meet in the day. The economic and social committee meets at 6.30pm, and so does the general purposes committee."