Alliance Councillor on Mid and East Antrim Council, Patricia O’Lynn has said that limiting the number of motions that can be brought before Council to 2 per meeting stifles democracy.

Councillor O’Lynn said: “I stood for election on the basis that I would fully represent every resident in the area. On a regular basis residents raise with me issues they want investigated and actioned. On many occasions the most effective way of doing this is through proposing a motion at Council to have a decision taken. By restricting the number of motions allowed to 2 per meeting, I believe democracy is not being served and is in fact stifled by this rule.

“At the last meeting of Council I proposed that this 2 motion rule should be changed, but was met with opposition from a number of Councillors. I would ask them what they are afraid of? Are they reluctant to take on more responsibility? Are they happy that issues that concern our ratepayers are not being fully addressed?

“I, of course, appreciate that Council meetings cannot go on endlessly with motion after motion coming forward, but I believe we need to ensure that as elected representatives we are fully meeting the needs and expectations of those who put us there. This issue deserves full consideration.”