Bolton Council wants to erect glass partition between councillors and public in council chamber

Sixteen seats would be removed from the public gallery of the council chamber to make way for the screen.

The exact height and cost of the screen are yet to be determined, but plans indicate that the number of seats in the gallery will be reduced from 64 to 48.

Council bosses say the proposal is designed to improve safety.

However, critics say a glass screen would prevent the public from taking part in debate and that it would ‘stifle democracy’ — accusations firmly denied by council leader, Cliff Morris.

He said: “This is not stifling debate, it is a health and safety issue because the railing on the gallery is so low and someone could fall over it.

“The meetings are streamed online now so that everyone in the town can hear what we are saying.

“Thousands of people watched the last meeting, so I don’t see how this stifles debate.

“It is about our duty of care to the public.”

Opponents of the plans say that there has been no safety concerns at previous meetings and residents will now be unable to engage in debate.

Natalie Yates, who presented a petition at the last full council meeting calling on Cllr Morris to resign, said: “This is all part of democracy.

“There has never been any objects thrown or any threats to the councillors so I cannot understand the need for it.

“To put in a glass partition will create a North Korea-type situation.

“I feel it is against human rights that the public are made to feel imprisoned and disconnected.

“The cost is also unnecessary when we are in a state of cutting services and raising taxes.”

As full council and planning committee meetings are now being streamed online, provisions for members of the public to watch from elsewhere in the town hall when the gallery is full have also been removed recently.

Other councils in Greater Manchester have similar glass partitions, as does the House of Commons.

Tory Leader, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said: “I have to say there has been no consultation with opposition parties over this proposal, which does unfortunately gives an unwelcome impression of “them and us”.

“If Labour’s justification of this screen is one of separating protesters and in some way protecting councillors, then I would oppose it.

“This screen must not impact on the public’s right to observe and engage in council meetings.

“However, having looked up to the gallery over recent meetings and seen it packed to capacity with some tussles, and arguments breaking out between rival protesters, I think there is a safety issue here as well.

“If the screen has been judged necessary to prevent a serious accident occurring, then I would support such a measure. But at the same time I would ask how much is it costing, and what other options have been looked at.”

Other opposition parties have also raised concerns.

Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr Roger Hayes, said: “I don’t think there is a public safety issue. This is totally unnecessary.

“We used to get paper darts thrown at us from the gallery and there was no glass partition needed then.