What are councils for? They are supposed to act as representatives of the community and make decisions based on its interest. They also make such organisations as schools, planning, care homes, business support, waste collections, road etc run efficiently. They are accountable to Parliament. The councillors are elected for a four year term by us and they are accountable to us.
Councillors represent us at a town and county levels. At both levels they should listen to us – the people – those people who pay their taxes , their council tax, their business rates. And as such they should be our voice. They have to declare interests , any gifts, any hospitality that could influence any decision they make.
Here is where it starts going wrong. Shropshire Council – and here we are dealing with the huge one issue. The development of the Old Smithfield car park with the loss of 144 parking spaces. Smithfield was handed a notice to quit on the 23rd March 2021 but it was kept ‘under wraps’. Councillors were told but they were told it was confidential, then the local elections started and everything went into ‘purdah’
The problem is this ethos of secrecy at SCC – they don’t inform us- then they have to deal with the crap that comes afterwards. And I’m afraid that previous councillors have been drawn into this mire- giving way and not questioning the employees of the council.
The answer is that we have to change this ethos. In all issues it is easier to have a public consultation first rather than last. We have a couple of new councillors representing Bridgnorth. Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight who is a Cabinet member and Councillor Julia Buckley . As well as the existing Councillors Christian Lea and Les Winwood . Councillors – we need to change this mindset of secrecy so please keep us informed
BREAKING NEWS – SCC have issued information about the Old Smithfield . The new developers intend to provide car parking spaces of 136 and invest in a new car park somewhere else !!! ( Where can that be ? – I can‘t think of any spaces in Bridgnorth except the old council offices at Westgate – Ed) They will continue to support the Covid vaccination programme with a 30 minute free slot for parking – you will have to show identification to this effect.
BUT THE PLANNING APPLICATION HAS NOT BEEN IMPROVED YET SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT WE CONTINUE TO RAISE AWARENESS AND COMMENT ON THE PLANNING APPLICATION WEBSITE.
