Open Letter to Council Leader re proposed Referendum

DEAR Council Leader Alford, I note that you have not responded to my offer to meet with you at your convenience to try to resolve this issue without further ado. I will therefore write this open letter to you.

If you believe the evidence we’ve provided (6,115 versus 38 electors being in favour of the committees system) is an insufficient indicator to convince you the electorate will vote in May for a return to the committees system, why not put your belief to doing a brief survey yourself?

Ask a few of your staff to go out into the community and, with a totally open mind, see whether people believe strongly in staying with the cabinet’ system, or moving to a more representative committee system.

If the response in favour of the status quo is low – we found it to be under one per cent – it makes sense not to waste money on a referendum. In discussion with the Department of Communities and Local Government (and with us at Public First co-operating with you), you may move to the new system voluntarily as they did in Canterbury. That way you will avoid frittering away another £95,000 that could alternatively be spent on community services, youth clubs, or assistance for the disabled. If, however, you were to get a response in favour of the cabinet system you may wish to proceed. If the council doesn't take this reasonable step, then frankly it is throwing our money away.

I look forward to your response.

Clive A Stafford Smith

Chairman

Public First Group