On
Thursday night we took over the town hall
OK,
it was only the Cabinet meeting room, but it will not be an
exaggeration to say that it was a significant day in the history of
Barnet. video link here.
An
inspiring evening last night of a democratic community action,
despite the Cabinet voting,
as expected, in favour of awarding Capita the £750 million contract
(we still didn't work out why they say £320; maybe it's part of the
general deceit). These stone hearted sphinxes wouldn't take notice of
the majority of their voters. Read Mrs
Angry's report.
The
evening started with a big and very lively protest outside Hendon
Town Hall, with the community represented by many angry residents and
council workers, prior to going into the Cabinet meeting.
The
Cabinet meeting was watched by around 200 residents and staff members
in two rooms.
Public questions were good, but (naturally??? in Barnet
it is...) - no answer was given. This was followed by Cllr Hugh
Rayner giving Cabinet the OK to go ahead and a good speech by Cllr
Alison Moore which was dismissed by the Cabinet.
But when we realised they are going to plough ahead and vote YES on the contract with Capita - we took over!
The mood among all present was angry, defiant and determined and once the surprised councillors woke up from their shock they escaped us, their residents, once again, moving to the adjacent room to make their expected decision - we swiftly moved into their seats and held a real democratic residents' forum, unlike any of their staged shows of a shade of democracy.
But when we realised they are going to plough ahead and vote YES on the contract with Capita - we took over!
The mood among all present was angry, defiant and determined and once the surprised councillors woke up from their shock they escaped us, their residents, once again, moving to the adjacent room to make their expected decision - we swiftly moved into their seats and held a real democratic residents' forum, unlike any of their staged shows of a shade of democracy.
People
spoke freely about One Barnet, about the successful experience of
securing Coppets Woods as a nature reserve, about Friern Barnet
Library, and about Pinham Way. At the end of the Cabinet meeting
Cornelius had stepped into OUR BARNET room, apparently expecting to
address us, but although he was invited to join in our meeting he
immediately turned his back and left the room once he realised he
will have to wait his turn to speak like the rest of us.
Capita
visit Thursday 20 December 5 pm, Victoria
BAPS: How we took over the Town Hall, 2 legal challenges to One Barnet and 8 Dec actions
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