Letter: What A Curious Response From Cllr Davis

Published on: 14 Jan, 2019
Updated on: 13 Jan, 2019

Chantries Camp Site

From Gordon Bridger

hon alderman and former Mayor of Guildford

In response to: Management of Chantries Campsite Proposal Was Deplorable

What a curious response from Cllr Davis to my previous letter. He has many admirable qualities but does not always seem to appreciate that he is an elected representative.

On this camping site issue, I have asked him twice, since October 2017, to please let residents know what the £200k in the GBC Capital budget for a “camping site” on the Chantries was for. I received no reply.

Two weeks ago, The Guildford Dragon NEWS reported that the GBC Executive was to be asked to spend up to £210k, in two week’s time, on a camping scheme. I secured a copy of the relevant report and sent it to interested parties.

It was a complex document with seven alternatives. Cllr Davis then popped up and assured us that he would ask for a delay so residents could comment. Excellent.

But at the Executive he approved an option “provisionally ” and residents will be consulted ex-post.

So what have I done wrong? Too many decisions are made in this way and even senior councillors, like Geoff Davis, are left in the dark.

I am happy to treat him to lunch and explain the reforms needed.

The current Executive system bypasses too many experienced councillors who should verify reports before they reach the Executive. This leads to too many errors and frustrated, unhappy councillors.