Key Points:
- Four independent and third-party councillors sit on Redbridge Council.
- Three former Labour councillors allege they are treated as “second-class councillors”.
- Independents removed from scrutiny committees and local policy forums.
- Scrutiny committees debate education, policing, health policies monthly.
- Independents’ questions at full council reportedly placed low on agenda.
- Labour and Conservative councillors’ questions appear earlier during meetings.
- Redbridge Council states all councillors can meet cabinet members and ask questions.
- Scrutiny committee membership defined by the council’s constitution.
Independent councillors in Redbridge have claimed they are being denied fair representation on the Labour-run council, following their removal from scrutiny committees and concerns over council meeting procedures.
What are the independents’ allegations against Redbridge Council?
Three councillors — Rosa Gomez, Shanell Johnson, and Kabir Mahmud — who defected from Labour, argue that they are now treated as “second-class councillors”. They say they were “immediately removed” from council scrutiny committees and local policy forums after leaving the Labour Party.
Independent councillor Noor Begum, elected last month in a by-election representing Redbridge & Ilford Independents, joins them in raising concerns.
The scrutiny committees, which meet monthly, debate crucial council policies on education, policing, and health. None of the independent councillors currently sit on these committees, while the Conservatives, with five councillors, maintain official opposition status.
Cllr Johnson, who left Labour in early 2024, said: “The council’s scrutiny process has more in common with a rubber stamping exercise.
We are demanding full representation on all council representative bodies and a return to proper accountable scrutiny of the ruling council.”
How do independents describe the treatment of their questions at full council meetings?
According to the independents, their questions often go unheard due to their low placement on the meeting agenda. During a designated 45-minute slot at full council meetings, councillors from any party can ask questions of the administration.
However, questions from Labour and Conservative members typically appear first, leaving independents with less opportunity for verbal responses. Unanswered questions are usually followed up with a written response from the relevant cabinet member.
Cllr Gomez stated:
“Opposition councillors’ questions at full council are relegated down the order.
The public has to limit questions to 100 words, while Labour members ask themselves questions that show them in a good light.
Then, when they answer their own questions they ramble on for hours, showing no respect for time limits imposed by the mayor. It is a complete shambles.”
How has Redbridge Council responded to the claims?
A spokesperson for Redbridge Council defended its processes, stating:
“All councillors have the opportunity to contact and meet members of cabinet and officers, plus ask questions at cabinet, full council and other meetings as per our established processes.
As per our agreed constitution, the overview and scrutiny committee is made up of the chairs of the various council committees plus the leader of the opposition.”
