As a ward councillor for Holy Trinity, I would expect Cllr Maddy Redpath (R4GV, Holy Trinity) to engage with local retailers, but it would be interesting to know if she had spoken to the swath of new retailers who have moved into Tunsgate, including Pho and incoming Gail’s bakery, along with those existing tenants who have benefited from a vastly improved environment.

Do the proprietors of cafes and eateries approve of the new pedestrianised street scene and being able to place out tables and chairs, particularly during the pandemic rules? Exactly which residents has she spoken to? I don’t recall being consulted or asked my opinion or is this just being directed to South Hill residents who will obviously be conflicted about any improvements which could lead to more traffic in their road.

Her views also seem to contradict those of the council and her own party, with fellow R4GV ward Cllr John Rigg quoted as saying: “I am as disappointed as anyone…” Does this mean it’s just Cllr Redpath who is against these works? If so, is this just another opportunity to criticise the ‘previous administration who, let’s face it, are starting to look Rolls-Royce compared to the present council?

It’s also becoming quite tiresome to hear the same R4VG councillors in what look like personal attacks against individuals. Cllr Joss Bigmore (Christchurch) wrote an ill-informed letter in the winter, again criticising SCC Cllr Matt Furniss (Con, Shalford), the lead for Transport, for his handling of the A281 wall collapse and the works to One Tree Hill Road, yet the reply from Cllr Furniss was not to engage in some petty squabble, but to give a well-reasoned response providing the reader with the actual facts, and assurance matters were being dealt with professionally. We never heard any more on that subject from Cllr Bigmore.

Sadly, the Redpath letter continues this unhelpful theme from R4VG and I for one am starting to tire of this constant bickering. I understand R4VG did not respect the decisions of the previous administration. In fact, there were many decisions I didn’t agree with but I did hope that after being in power for well more than a year, we could start to see this energy deployed in a more positive way.

Otherwise, there is a serious risk that these councillors, who have spent their entire time in these privileged positions, criticising and not delivering, not being trusted again. Time is ticking.