Despite claims from the Opposition parties that somehow they were responsible for the decision to withdraw a controversial paper that would have meant considerable changes to home to school transport policy, school catchment areas and concessionary travel arrangements, the truth is councillors are elected to make tough decisions and Cabinet has the job of listening to all representations put to it, and then deciding on the right thing to do. This is called leadership, and is something the Liberal Democrats and Labour have little experience in delivering.
If Cabinet has concerns about the impact of a proposal, or that changes in policy may have adverse legal implications (in the case of ‘Paper C’), or that there is vehement local opposition to a proposed land disposal (‘Paper J’- land at Leicester Road, Countesthorpe) are we to be criticised for showing collective responsibility and deferring any decisions until Cabinet is satisfied with answers to the questions raised?
It is right and proper that Cabinet performs its democratic duty to defend the public interest. And do what it thinks is right in defending this responsibility. After all, this is what we are elected to do.