LOSRA prides itself in its non-alignment to political parties, whether at the levels of central or local government. However this political neutrality has never been allowed to stand in the way of our confronting issues which we believe to be in the interests of our membership; and to make observations as objectively as we can.
Readers will recall the question published on this site (see article of 7th December) which was put before the SCC Full Council on our behalf by Mrs Nichols, Member for Lower Sunbury and Halliford on 13th December. Despite having had the required amount of time in which to fashion a response, the answer was written thus: "Due to the nature of the question and the detail required, the Leader has asked officers to provide a written response to Mrs Nichols within the next seven days"
At full Council, when Mrs Nichols attempted to challenge the matter by way of a supplementary question, the Chairman explained that, owing to the absence from Council of the Chairman of the Planning and Regulatory Committee, no answer to a supplementary question would be forthcoming; and allowed absolutely no further discussion on the subject.
The LOSRA Chairman, who was present in the public gallery and observed proceedings, is puzzled as to why the straightforward question put by the member within the prescribed 5 days, require a further seven days to answer; and why the Vice Chairman of the Planning and Regulatory Committee, Mr Keith Taylor, and who was present at Full Council, was not asked to respond to Mrs Nichols' supplementary question on behalf of the absent P&RC Chairman. Needless to say this shameful episode did nothing to restore one's faith in local democracy, openness or accountability.
Readers are invited to put whatever construction they wish on this, the latest development in the long and vexed matter of the proposed "Eco Park" at Charlton Lane.
