The leader of the council clashed with the Labour group leader during the executive meeting of City of York Council.
Labour group leader Cllr Pete Kilbane was asking questions about the plan to build 112 timber-framed net carbon-zero homes, known as Passivhaus homes, on the Burnholme and Duncombe Barracks sites.
Lib Dem and council leader Cllr Aspden, who was chairing the meeting ruled that the Labour Group leader was engaging in ‘conversation’ with a York council officer who was giving a briefing to the meeting and that he must stop that.
Cllr Kilbane said he was asking questions and making comments and criticised Cllr Aspdan saying “democracy in action, don’t you love it?”
Cllr Pete Kilbane: “Okay, just a few questions for Cllr Ayre and then a comment, if that’s all right.”
Cllr Keith Aspden: “Do those questions and comment together rather than again, having a conversation.”
Cllr Pete Kilbane: “So ask the question and then…”
Cllr Keith Aspden (Interrupts): “Ask questions and give your comment because I’m not going to allow a prolonged conversation back and forth.”
Cllr Pete Kilbane: “Sorry the comment will depend upon what the answers are to the question. So ask the questions first, and then make the comment?”
Cllr Keith Aspden: “Ask the question, if you know what your comment is going to be or I won’t let you comment on Cllr Ayre’s response, because we don’t need to have a back and forth conversation. So you won’t let me do your best to do your comment and questions at the same time. Because there is no need to go backwards and forwards.
Cllr Pete Kilbane: “So you won’t let me comment?”
Cllr Keith Aspden (Interrupting): “Do your best to do your comment and questions at the same time. Because there is no need to go backwards and forwards.
Cllr Pete Kilbane: “Oh democracy in action, don’t you love it.”
The exchange can be seen in the video clip and starts 36mins into the meeting
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