Councillors at Bristol City Council have been urged to stop interrupting and “talking over other people” during public debates. But the “recurring problem” could be addressed as part of the council’s switch to a committee-run model of governance from May next year.
Controversial topics are often discussed during public meetings at the council, from new housing developments to changes to the road network, and some issues can spark tense debate. But questions have been raised about how this conduct could be improved.
Last year Bristol voted to scrap the role of the directly elected mayor, and bring in a series of committees to run the council instead. During a committee model working group meeting on Friday, April 28, councillors were asked how the issue of interruptions might be looked at.
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Dan Ackroyd said: “Meetings at Bristol City Council have a recurring problem with senior council members talking out of turn and talking over other people. Currently chairs of meetings seem to take no action against this disruption. What changes are going to be made to have meetings that are run where this is less of an issue under the committee system?”
But according to two senior councillors, rules are already in place to stop this from happening. After getting elected, every councillor agrees to follow a code of conduct which covers a wide range of rules, including treating other people with respect. New councillors also receive training on following the code of conduct.
Labour Councillor Helen Holland said: “We do sign a code of conduct and the issue ought to be covered by what we say in the code of conduct. Presumably when we’re working out the member development programme for new members, the code of conduct will be a part of that.”
Conservative Cllr Geoff Gollop added: “I believe we have all the rules in place: the code of conduct and the standing orders actually make it absolutely clear. What we can’t do is make chairs enforce that. I don’t believe we can change that under the committee system, but we can adopt training.
“But it’s also the nature of debate, I don’t actually see that interruption happening very often. I think we all recognise the rules of debate, and it may be that it isn't as clear to members of the public who are watching. The rules are there and we have to empower those who enforce them, and we don’t need to change anything else.”
However, how people experience political debates is subjective, according to Green Cllr Heather Mack, who said older male councillors might notice “tension and aggression” less than other people.
She said: “I think it’s likely that people who have been in politics for longer, and who are maybe male and older, might feel that tension and aggression less in meetings. I would say it probably does exist and you experience it less.”
While councillors sometimes interrupt each other, this also happens to members of the public who are putting questions to council bosses, according to Mr Ackroyd. He said: “It was actually the interruptions of the members of the public that I thought was most disrespectful. It seems designed to throw people off from asking their questions clearly.”
