Cllr David Barton, a leading campaigner for the restoration and regeneration of Southport, has called upon the Townspeople of Southport to unite and duly submit any of their own feedback to the Local Authority as soon as possible after recurring maltreatment of both constituents from across the length and breadth of Southport, and himself since he first joined Sefton Council back in 2014.
Cllr Barton is especially concerned at the serial attitude problem and negative approach adopted by members of the Southport Liberal Democrats, which has led in some cases to various members of the community feeling ostracized from attending the Forum meeting.
After calling for a Good Behaviour Agreement to be sought and signed by all members at the meeting, the Dukes Ward Councillor was greeted with a universal round of applause, and was even supported by local Sefton Youth Adviser Ellie Egerton- White, who also bravely spoke out on the arrogance and poor conduct regularly shown by other Councillors,
Cllr Barton said:
Having pressed this matter consistently ever since I first joined Sefton Council, I should like to once again reiterate the serial importance of operating on a basis of mutual respect & sincerity. Be one a District Councillor or a member of the local Community at all times should such a noble conduct be upheld by everyone to ensure compassionate and correct democracy.
Having once again observed the proceedings for the entirety of this meeting I now feel that this cause, which I have firmly pledged myself to since upon first becoming your local District Councillor, is of especial relevance now more than ever before and I should like to formally request that other members of the Sefton Council take heed as all members of the general public should be treated with the same dignity and respect that such a Local Authority would warrant.
Having been continually interrupted mid-flow in speech, shouted at across from the other side of the Chamber, and ridiculed at various points, especially when providing relevant background context, I have always recognised the intention of the Opposition to seek to undermine myself and my positive and constructive approach towards serving my Constituents.
What is especially alarming however, besides similar treatment displayed towards members of the Public, is the fact that this wanton arrogance displayed by other much senior members has now ultimately cost the Townspeople their chance to put forward their representations locally before Sefton Council.
The Southport Area Committee, which was originally launched back in the Millennium, 2000, was supposed to be a platform for open discussion between the Local Community and their elected Representatives, however negative campaigning styles espoused by the Southport Liberal Democrats have now thwarted any semblance of retaining this Community Forum.
At this time I should like to thank Sefton Youth Advisor Ellie Egerton- White and her colleague Maria Gowers for having also voiced their same feelings and much appreciated support. It is my hope that as fellow Observers they can duly report back on ongoing proceedings with a view to making the Local Government Sphere a more welcoming and inviting one for all members of our Local Community.
I should also like to express my sincerest support to three such returning attendees including both the young gentleman Greg Myers and the two young mothers- the former being Diane Thomas and the latter Tracy Burke who have endured abhorrent maltreatment on part of other Sefton Councillors who have also and continue to extend to me the same level of disrespect.
I should therefore like to fairly, but firmly remind all the Councillors throughout the course of the meeting, who also displayed such contempt towards all of us, to revaluate how they conduct themselves for future reference before ostracizing not only myself, but key members of our local Community, in this particular instance the younger generation.
Onwards & Upwards!
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