A bypass at last! A bypass of democracy

We hope that the New Year will not continue as the old one ended - with an assault on the democratic process by the Boston Bypass Independents.
At the last full council meeting of the year a "communication statement" was issued regarding Cabinet approval to dispose of three parcels of council land to Lincolnshire County Council to "facilitate on-line highway infrastructure improvements between the A16/A52 roundabout and the level crossing at Sleaford Road."
Now, as any fule kno, the BBI is on record as rejecting tweaking the existing road system as a quick fix, and the proposal on the agenda ran exactly counter to its manifesto pledge in this respect.
As you would imagine, the opposition in the shape of the Better Boston Group - who had been denied the chance to debate the proposal rubber stamped by the Cabinet earlier that day - sought to challenge the decision, but were denied the chance because of a ban imposed by the Conservative Mayor on any attempt to do what is known as "calling in" the agenda item.
The BBG sought to challenge because they have always thought that short term road improvements are a Lincolnshire County Council scheme, initiated and supported by the Tories.
"Calling in" is a request to discuss a matter further so that concerns can properly be aired, rather than railroading the ruling party's wishes through the council, and is one of the cornerstones of local politics.
Not any more.
Without explanation "calling in" was banned - along with any attempt at further debate.
Observers at the meeting have been staggered at such a blatant attack on democracy, and speculation is rife as to the Mayor's motivation.
The role of the Mayor is non-political, yet this decision flies in the face of that tradition.
Because debate was denied, the picture transmitted to observers is that opposition - in particular the BBG - have gone along with the proposal, which is the exact opposite of what actually happened.
A need for urgency to move forward was given as a reason for rejecting a call in, which some say suggests that officers again have either sat back until the eleventh hour, or sided with the BBI in using the Christmas break to mask yet another manifesto betrayal.
A side effect of the 12 months' of roadworks that this pointless project will generate is going to bring misery to the town's road users. It will also impinge in local businesses as people decide that battling with Boston's traffic just isn't worth the trouble.
Presumably it is too late to re-debate this decision.
But we need to be vigilant in the future to ensure that the BBI is not allow to stamp on the faces of the taxpayers in this way ever again.


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