Shot in the foot

I AM horrified that RDC Cabinet has shot itself in the '˜collective foot' once again. What on earth are they up to? One minute they mess up the shelters, next they give a Cabinet councillor Â£10,000 to hold an Italian Market which was a flop and a waste of ratepayers' money, when for free, the resident businesses of Bexhill-on-Sea are able to deliver an Anglo-Continental market. What justification did you find to for this extravagance, Mr Cabinet Leader?

Now the Cabinet has decided in its lack of wisdom to reject the people’s wisdom of Bexhill by overriding a proposal to the Cabinet, made by the Director of Services at a meeting of the Scrutiny committee on June 18 Agenda Item: 6.2 no 9 which says that “Officers do not explore funding opportunities for refurbishing East Parade with a heritage motoring theme”. Not likely, say I, after the problems that arose on the West Parade.

The Cabinet over-ruled this proposal and said YES that it should go forward. This was against the wishes of the ratepayers who live in the Bexhill Ward of Sackville. May I remind our readers that the leader has said that all decisions made by the Cabinet must be unanimous. It would seem this ruling is perfectly acceptable under the RDC Constitution. Maybe the CEO might like to confirm this? I consider this undemocratic and an affront of a councillor’s rights to vote how they wish, without fear or favour. I also think it is an affront to the ratepayers that they are not allowed to see how their councillors voted. It is obvious that the Cabinet does not believe in transparency or true accountability of their councillors of whatever persuasion.

It is despicable that as a result of the behaviour of the leader and his team of fellow travellers that one of our staunchest Conservative councillors has considered it necessary to leave their cringing sycophantic ranks and join the unoppressive atmosphere of the Independent councillors. Shame on you all. It is no wonder, that the sooner we have a true and honest representation by our Bexhill Ward councillors, by forming a properly constituted Bexhill Area committee with statutory rules for planning etc, the more likely we are to bring back life and some prosperity to Bexhill. The Cabinet is not prepared to consult with its ratepayers via our representatives some of whom still do not get it. The Cabinet is so stressed out it is incapable of making any sensible decisions.

JIM MILNE

West Parade

Bexhill-on-Sea