Letter: The Councillor Misses the Point

Published on: 14 Jul, 2021
Updated on: 14 Jul, 2021

Elmbridge Council Civic Centre. Image – Get Surrey.

From: Paul Bartlett

In response to: Elmbridge Councillors Asked to ‘Be Brave’ and Keep Promise to Protect Green Belt

Obviously, this article only scratches the surface of what we residents have been trying to negotiate with Elmbridge officers and councillors since the Regulation 18 consultation in December 2016.

I’m afraid that Cllr Randolph is missing the point, this is not about “mudslinging” or pointing fingers, it’s all about proper and honest representation. For example and as quoted, it is a matter of record that she has, in several meetings,  declared that she has “no idea what is in the Local Plan” and will have to wait and see what the officers bring forward in the Draft Local Plan.

Then she is also quoted as saying “What they don’t realise is that conversations have been going on behind the scenes for a number of years.” So which is it?

If it’s a matter of “confidentiality”, then treat us like adults and tell us that, we will understand. This is not personal to the Planning Portfolio Holder, as we have experienced exactly the same response from the former chair of the Local Plan Working Group, former councillor Kapadiawho gave the same line: “We have no idea what’s in the Local Plan and will have to wait and see what the officers deliver.”

So, where does this all lead and why are so many of us excruciatingly frustrated?

The questions we residents are asking are: What is going on? Who is contributing? How are we being represented in this process? Is our voice being heard?

Or is this solely officer-led planning, if so, what is the point in elected representatives?

It now appears that the May influx of Elmbridge councillors have adopted a new approach and have given voice to others to join them in determining that Elmbridge’s Local Plan should be a collaborative one. A Plan worked on and designed by both the political leaders (councillors) and the professionals (officers) at last.

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