COUNCIL meetings in Dorset will now be manned by a private security firm following disruption from climate protesters 'Grannies for the future'.
Dorset Council, who announced the move in a Freedom of Information Request (FOI), will now employ Event Security Southern Ltd for Full Council meetings and at some other meetings ‘on a risk-assessed basis’.
The decision comes after, on April 14, two climate protesters left the public gallery, entered the Chamber reserved for councillors and both glued a hand to a table at the front of the Chamber. Subsequently leading to the ‘disruption of democratic decision making’, leaving councillors feeling unsafe, the damage of property and the police being called to attend.
Read more: 'Anarchist' grannies banned from Dorset Council meeting
Jonathan Mair, Director for Legal and Democratic at Dorset Council said: “At the meeting of Dorset Council on 14 April 2022 two climate protesters left the Public Gallery and entered the Council Chamber where they disrupted Council business.
“As a result, we undertook a review and identified a need to improve security arrangements, including having a security presence at all Full Council meetings and at some other meetings on a risk-assessed basis.”
Most councils across the country have security at Full Council meetings and the cost of employing the extra protection at Dorset Council is just 0.002% of their full annual budget.
Mr Mair continued: “The cost of security for any meeting will vary, dependent upon the assessment of risk and the number of security staff thought necessary. We have estimated a total annual budget of £7,000 as being sufficient.
Read more: Dorset Council condemns ‘grannies’ protest during climate debate
“Whilst the irresponsible behaviour of a minority is causing additional expense it is right that we should take steps to protect councillors and staff and to minimise the risk of disruption to meetings. The estimated annual cost of £7,000 represents a fraction of a percentage of the Council’s £ £331.6 million annual budget.”
Dorset Council went on to say that the arrangements made will ensure that council meetings remain open and accessible to members of the public and that at the same time council meetings are safe places for councillors and council staff.
Members of the public are still able to view meetings by either attending in the public gallery or by watching the webcast.
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