Getting action on the Harlequin

Green Party councillors on Reigate and Banstead Borough Council continue to push for action on arts and culture in the area after the Harlequin closure. They attempted to debate the Council decision to sack leisure staff working at the Harlequin at Full Council in front of a large public audience but the ruling group referred the motion to the Executive to avoid discussion. Subsequently Green councillors pushed for discussion at Overview and Scrutiny by calling-in the decision but this was also scotched by the ruling group. Finally a cross party group of councillors on Overview and Scrutiny called for a special meeting which has now been granted. A cross party group of councillors on the Audit committee passed a recommendation (unanimously) for a new strategic risk to be added for the Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete in the Harlequin until an operational plan and budget is agreed by the Executive. Green Party councillors take seriously our opposition role to question Council decisions.