I feel I ought to mention this. I had hoped to bring you a report on Wednesday's Full meeting of Carmarthenshire Council, especially the Vote of No Confidence in the Executive Board Member for Social Care. However, I am unable to do so as I had to leave the Public Gallery. After about three quarters of an hour into the meeting, when the other members of the public had left the gallery and I was on my own, a man approached me and said that he had been sent by the Chief Executive, (who was in the Chamber below) to ask me to leave. I was very surprised, as I wasn't disrupting the meeting in any way and was quietly observing the proceedings below. I asked why and was told it was because they thought I was 'filming' - I wasn't. I had my phone in my hand to use Twitter if there was anything to tweet but had not raised the phone to film at all. The events that followed led me to make a complaint to the police concerning assault and attempted theft. I am now preparing to give a full statement. I felt intimidated, distressed and very uncomfortable and very badly treated. It was a disturbing incident in, of all places, the Public Gallery of our County Council.
I shall report on this further, if and when the matters unfold.
On the subject of filming, I leave you with this thought, this Council has placed CCTV cameras all over Carmarthenshire to film all members of the public, supposedly to protect us from crime - so therefore, if they can film us why can't we film them?
Later post; http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2011/04/public-gallery-incident-update.html
I shall report on this further, if and when the matters unfold.
On the subject of filming, I leave you with this thought, this Council has placed CCTV cameras all over Carmarthenshire to film all members of the public, supposedly to protect us from crime - so therefore, if they can film us why can't we film them?
Later post; http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2011/04/public-gallery-incident-update.html
10 comments:
How awful for you and I can imagine how distressing the entire incident must have been, especially considering the fact you were on your own in the gallery. Glad you reported it to the police and let us hope that they will do take matters in their hands and deal with it correctly and not swiping under the proverbial carpet. Will keep an eye on your blog for further updates.
A most shocking incident and very suspicious as it occurred after other members of the public had left.I think this is an assault not only on a member of the public but on democracy in Carmarthen.
Enfys
This is truly disgraceful behaviour from public servants. How dare they interfere with your democratic right to listen to a meeting where members of the public should be welcomed, and what's more feel safe from abuse. Worryingly however, it is symptomatic of CCC's general obstructive attitude towards the tax payer, which is ultimately reflected in the publics low opinion of them. I hope the police take this seriously as indeed they should.
The problem is that the Police tend to ignoring/whitewash complaints about councils. In my case I reported my council to the Police for theft but they swept it under the carpet for their Lords and Masters in the council.
Disgraceful and shocking treatment of a member of the public exercising her right to observe proceedings. I hope the press takes this up. It seems this daft ban on cameras is now being turned into a tool to eject anyone they don't like on the grounds that they may be filming.
I think a public apology would be in order for this disgraceful treatment of a perfectly innocent member of the public. Richard is closer to the truth than probably he knows. They already have a very effective gagging policy labelled a 'Persistent Complainants Policy' that is used against anyone that pursues answers to dubious and questionable practices, and now we have a wonderful excuse to eject persons whom they would probably not wish to see in the public gallery, by accusing them of filming with their mobile phone!!!! Have they not caught up with technology yet? It is extremely common for people with political persuasions to tweet and text. It's 2011!
I have just watched, on BBC news, Afghan women
campaigning for election.One woman stood for election previously and as a result her husband was murdered and her son kidnapped but was returned later.
She bravely continues to speak out in spite of this.
Councillors in Carmarthen, watch the news from countries like this.It beggars belief that officers are so afraid of being seen and heard in Carmarthen that they resort to such tactics as related by Caebrwyn.God help the people of Afghanistan if they relied on councillors and officers as in Carmarthen.
Enfys
Croeso y Cymru. Where does that come from when speaking about Carmarthen County Council? Once again it seems some officers of the Council feel that they are entitled to behave outside the rules applicable to the decent majority. They should realise that they are servants of the people and are funded by them.
Absolutely outrageous! They're taking the piss, and getting away with it. I wouldn't hold your breath re assistance from the cops - they weren't much use with the Breckmans and their trouble, were they? Plus, its CCC who agrees their annual precepts from the council-taxpayers. I've emailed this matter to the rights group "Liberty" for their opinion.
Thank goodness our local paper isn't intimidated by our shameful county council, as most certainly appears to be the case from our friends the local councillors, who to date haven't uttered one word against their own councils disgusting conduct. I hope Mark James, you know, the one who draws almost £200.000 per annum, is interviewed for his part in this bullying of one woman on her own, especially as he was the one who gave his little henchman the orders to go forth and intimidate.
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