Council leader Una O’Halloran

MORE than 100 people have signed a petition demanding the Town Hall reverse changes to the constitution that ban banners at council meetings and limit when residents can ask questions.

Signatories argue that the measures limit “access, transparency and accountability” in the Town Hall, and restrict local democracy.

“We believe these changes have been made in direct response to recent activity by campaigners, as well as in anticipation of resistance to cuts build into next year’s budget”, the petition added.

The new measures were voted through at a meeting in December and require members of the public to seek permission in writing from the mayor if they wish to display flags, banners, placards, signs or props.

The mayor has the power to refuse permission “if the prop is offensive, discrimin­atory, inflammatory or misleading in nature or might otherwise disrupt the meeting”, according to the updated rule.

Under the new measures, deputations are not allowed to be brought to council budget meetings, and officers can reject questions if they “do not relate to the powers or duties of the council”.

Callum Waterhouse, from housing union Acorn which is supporting the petition, said: “We believe these amendments, which have been rushed through without proper consultation and debate, seriously undermine local democracy by restricting the rights of residents to publicly challenge council decisions.

“If Islington Council was truly committed to transparency and accountability, they would reverse these changes immediately.”

Campaigners’ concerns that the changes were unnecessary had been previously voiced by councillors on opposition benches.

Councillor Ilkay Cinko-Oner

At the meeting in December, Councillor Ilkay Cinko-Oner asked: “Why are these needed? We have not had problems seen in our borough, so why are we importing restrictions that solve nothing here?”

Meanwhile, Labour councillor Paul Convery had said that the changes were needed because, after two decades without a constitutional update, “modernisation was required”.

Council leader Una O’Halloran, said: “To help keep public meetings accessible and fair to everyone, the council is asking that those who would like to bring along banners, props and similar items ask beforehand.

“Although some local authorities, the London Assembly, and even parliament, have an absolute ban on such items, Islington Council has taken a light touch approach so that meetings can be well managed to allow for good decision-making and public participation.”

She added: “This will ensure that meetings are free from obstruction and maintain clear sightlines.

“Meetings need to run smoothly so that everyone has an equal chance to be involved and be heard.”