DEMOCRACY in Winchester ‘has been given a kick in the teeth’ after a new constitution was agreed by the city council according to an opposition councillor.

Liberal Democrat councillor Kim Gottlieb hit out at the ruling Conservatives for changes to the way the council is run, however leader Cllr Caroline Horrill “absolutely and completely” refuted his claims.

He said as a result of the changes to the constitution, decisions on major city council projects like Saxon Gate, commonly known as Silver Hill 2, Station Approach and the new leisure centre would be delegated to three cabinet members.

Cllr Gottlieb added: “Full council has been bypassed and the opportunity for scrutiny and for debate effectively dead and buried.

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“Democracy in Winchester and the integrity of governance has been given an unprecedented kick in the teeth. (Prime Minister) Theresa May can only dream of having the unfettered power (council leader Cllr) Caroline Horrill has in Winchester.”

According to the new constitution, some of the powers members of the Central Winchester Regeneration Cabinet Committee (Saxon Gate) will be able to use include approving additional capital or revenue transfers up to £250,000, subject the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s authority to review approvals over £100,000; approving final costs for schemes; awarding contracts to contractors; and agreeing land transactions within the project budget.

Similar rules will apply to the Station Approach and leisure centre cabinet committees.

Cllr Horrill responded by saying: “Cllr Gottlieb is clearly not up on the facts... I’m afraid Cllr Gottlieb came to the meeting ill-informed.”

She added that the review process included Lib Dem representatives and Cllr Gottlieb’s claims were “misleading”.