-
2.
-
there has not
principles from a number
before us
to
been welcome support for these number of quarters. The question today is to decide, having listened
criticism and advice whether we are prepared to proceed with the Second Reading of the Bill, doing so in the knowledge that we stick to the principles but
make sufficient, and in some cases substantial
amendments and deletions to take account of the
legitimate concerns which have been expressed.
elected
to
the
There is another reason why we need to proceed with this legislation at this time, before the new Council meets in the Autumn. We stand now at the
beginning of a process of constitutional change starting with the election of 24 Members
this
Council next September but although the process of Constitutional change has begun the responsibilities
of the Council as a whole will not change. Those
responsibilities, primarily the passing of all necessary legislation and the appropriation of funds for public purposes, are already defined. But, as the
Council acquires an
element,
responsibilities placed upon its individual members will indeed change, for those members will be directly
accountable to the community for the adequate and
proper fulfilment of their duties in the Council. It
is to ensure
ensure that the future members of this Council
have before them, when they take office, a statement of powers and protection they have,
have, so as to be able to meet their obligations and responsibilities to the
community, and so as to ensure that the community can be satisfied that its representatives have sufficient powers with which to protect not their own individual interests but those of the community they serve; that
why it is necessary now to set down in law a clear statement of those powers.