Islington News: Martin Klute | Duncan Terrace Gardens | Reopening Ceremony

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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published:24 December 2008

St Peter’s ward councillors Gary Doolan, Shelley Coupland and Martin Klute

Councillors: ‘We just want to say our piece’

ANOTHER row has erupted over a council policy banning ward councillors from speaking at events in their own patch.
Last month the Tribune reported how St Peter’s ward councillor Martin Klute was banned from speaking at the switch-on of Camden Passage lights because it was “not a political event”.
The lights ceremony was not a council event.
This week, Cllr Klute was told the Tribune he could not speak at the reopening ceremony of Duncan Terrace Gardens on Tuesday.
Cllr Klute said: “My son’s school choir was singing at the event – it’s in my ward and I asked if I could say a few words at the ceremony. I got a message back saying it’s council policy that only executive members can speak at such events.”
He added: “I’m livid – ward councillors can’t speak in their own ward. What’s wrong with me saying a few words about how the officers have been working hard? It’s obstructive and petty.”
Cllr Klute says residents, who wanted him to speak, offered to stay away from the opening ceremony in a show of solidarity. But, he said: “I don’t want to politicise this event so I thought we should support it.”
A council spokesperson said: “The long-established practice has been that only the executive member speaks at events, but that all councillors are invited to attend community events in their own ward.”

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