READERS are disgusted by the amount of time spent praising US President Barack Obama at a Lewisham Council meeting.

A motion tabled by Lewisham Mayor Sir Steve Bullock to recognise the importance of Mr Obama's inauguration on Tuesday took priority over other motions scheduled for debate.

More than 20 minutes was spent recognising Mr Obama’s achievements at the full council meeting on Wednesday (January 21).

But councillors ran out of time to discuss a motion tabled by Green councillor Darren Johnson on the possibility of providing free school meals for all.

News Shopper readers are outraged by the length of time spent praising the 44th US President.

Commenting on our website MrsA-Catford, from Catford, said: “When did Barack start paying his rates in Lewisham? We are the ones paying them and therefore these peoples salaries.

“They should be discussing the things that directly affect us and our children.

“As important an event as many people think the inauguration is it is not what we are paying our money for.

“Maybe some of the councillors should look out of the window and see the building site state the borough is in at the moment. It's disgusting.”

A Woolwich resident with the username apak24 expressed similar outrage and said: “Barack Obama has done great and i say good luck to him, but to keep on about it is a waste of time.

“I hope when the council election comes up people remember this and vote them all out.”

Julian Winfield, from Bromley, slammed the Lewisham Labour Party for “nearly 30 minutes of hot air heard by nobody”.

He said: “Shame on Sir Steve Bullock. He should put his residents first not his own self importance.”

But Cllr Johnson has defended Sir Steve’s motion.

He said: “I think it was reasonable that the full council formally noted Mr Obama’s inauguration.

“But whether it should have been debated to such an extent when there were other issues to discuss, I’m not sure.”

Tory councillor Barrie Anderson chaired the council meeting but says that it would have been unfair to cut the debate short.

He said: “How long councillors talk is up to them. It’s not fair of me to dictate that and I have to be fair to all parties.”

Cllr Johnson’s proposal is to run a pilot scheme in Lewisham borough offering all children free school meals.

A similar scheme was run in Hull, but was scrapped because it cost too much.

Cllr Johnson admits that it will cost millions of pounds to fund but suggests requesting the money from central government.

He said: “I think it’s important that kids get to eat a healthy meal. The results from schools in Hull was very encouraging and showed an increase of kids having a proper meal.

“The feedback from parents also showed that it did have an effect on children’s eating habits and could help cash-strapped parents during the recession.”

Cllr Johnson says he will table the motion again at the next full council meeting.

News Shopper has approached Sir Steve for a comment.

- What do you think? Were councillors wasting their time discussing Barack Obama? Should international news take priority over local issues? Add your comments below.