The leader of City Hall has been branded a "dictator" after overhauling meeting rules for the first time in years.
Mike Stonard, leader of Norwich City Council, has come under fire after changing how members are allowed to hold his Labour-run cabinet to account.
While opposition leaders have previously been allowed to ask their own questions in cabinet meetings, these must now be submitted days in advance and will be read out by Mr Stonard.
The leader has defended the decision as an exercise in effective time-management but some councillors have accused him of dodging scrutiny, describing the changes as "undemocratic".
City Hall's cabinet consists of eight members of the Labour group, including the leader of the council, and is the main decision-making body.
Their meetings are often attended by opposition group leaders, who may ask questions relating to items on the agenda.
Previously, the leader has allowed ad-hoc questions to be asked during these sessions.
The new rules introduced by Mr Stonard will mean these must be submitted two days before the meeting.
Furthermore, the questions will now be read out by Mr Stonard rather than the opposition leaders themselves, before the relevant cabinet member delivers their response.
LIKE A 'DICTATORSHIP'
Leaders of opposition groups at City Hall say they have been "gagged" and questioned why the rules are being changed for the first time in many years.
Lucy Galvin, leader of the Green group, said: "Democratic procedures have always enabled opposition parties to ask questions at cabinet meetings, so as to hold decision-makers to account.
"It is very worrying that Mr Stonard has decided that only he - and those he appoints to cabinet - will be allowed to speak. People in Norwich deserve to have councillors who are free to speak up for them and ask challenging questions.
"Perhaps Mr Stonard feels he cannot answer the questions being posed. I'm concerned that some aspects of this decision align with those of a dictatorship - we no longer have a voice in the room."
"It is just an attempt to shut down democracy."
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Mr Stonard has defended his decision and assured councillors they will still be able to pose questions to his cabinet.
He said: "My fellow councillors will be well aware that our constitution allows questions to be asked at cabinet meetings. As leader of the council I manage that however I think best – in this case, asking for questions in advance.
"We have the same approach with questions at full council meetings – this gives us time to gather technical expertise from officers about council services when required.
"This allows us to provide full and factual answers. I would argue that this is far better for democracy. I have invited other party leaders to ask their own questions in cabinet meetings so that is entirely up to them.
"I imagine our residents are far more interested in the council getting on with the important business of providing valued services like collecting bins and providing affordable homes than they are with whether questions are submitted in advance of council meetings and who reads them out."
The new rules are understood to have been brought in due to an increasing number of items on the cabinet agenda and seek to give members and council officers extra time to draw up comprehensive responses.
Recent items considered during meetings included an official response to proposals for the Norwich Western Link and plans to revamp City Hall - which could see the Grade II* listed building extended to its rear, to house a new courtyard with a hotel complex or flats.
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