Letter: The Victimisation of Councillor Reeve Is Totally Unacceptable

Published on: 6 Sep, 2017
Updated on: 8 Sep, 2017

From Jenny Procter

The case brought against Cllr Reeve is a sad example of just how averse the Guildford Borough Council leadership is to proper scrutiny.

The entire scope of the Local Plan, which is to form the basis of development in the borough for years to come, is dependent on the forecasting of housing need and numbers. The numbers put forward by GL Hearn have been questionable from the start.

One would think accurate estimation of those numbers would be crucial. This victimisation of Cllr Reeve is totally unacceptable. He is a highly skilled and extremely knowledgeable councillor whose integrity is unquestionable.

I fear the same cannot be said for those who wish to silence him. They are either unable to comprehend his reasoning or predetermined not to. He is one of the few who has the ability to interrogate the strategic housing market assessment (SHMA), which he did very competently and in good faith.

If the two leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties had any wit they would welcome his investigative ability, something which is unfortunately sadly missing in the council leadership and direction.

Hot on spin, short on facts, their defensive attitude indicates they have a lot to hide.

Cllr Reeve dares to suggest that the SHMA may have some imperfections and in doing so has incurred the wrath of the establishment. This is hardly democracy.

Do we live in Great Britain or Stalinist Russia? All he is accused of is using some basic housing need numbers which should have been exposed to public scrutiny since 2014, in the first iteration of the SHMA by GL Hearn.

Of course, it would suit those who run the council well to discredit a GGG councillor who dares to rock the boat.

Responses to Letter: The Victimisation of Councillor Reeve Is Totally Unacceptable

Jim Allen Reply

September 6, 2017 at 9:09 pm

It is great sadness the observations made in this letter put forward a truth denied by the council leadership.
Richard Charman Reply

September 7, 2017 at 5:38 pm

Cllr Reeve is a decent honourable man trying to ensure issues of vital importance to the people of Guildford and beyond get a just and proper airing.

Some councillors, and the parties they represent, pay lip service to the needs and demands of democracy and try wherever possible to conceal from the public they represent what they are doing in their name.

These people use the law to try and prevent democratic accountability and to prevent accountability.

In my opinion, trying to conceal issues of public interest for political advantage is reprehensible.

To abuse the law to try and prevent the public knowing what is being done in their name is totally immoral and unacceptable.

To hound a decent an honourable councillor because he is trying to do what is in the public interest is deplorable and deeply worrying.
Tony Edwards Reply

September 7, 2017 at 6:20 pm

A healthy appreciation of fundamental logic appears to be curiously absent from both the content of the Local Plan and the modus operandi adopted by GBC in its preparation.

We repeatedly hear that the likes of Cllr Spooner are listening to the views of Guildford residents but this is a total contradiction to the massive wave of objection recorded to GBC’s plans for green belt erosion. The facts don’t fit the GBC fantasy.

Time for a reality check on the SHMA and congratulations to Cllr Reeve for placing the issue in the public spotlight.