HAS Sudbury Town Council developed characteristics of the parish meeting in the Vicar of Dibley? There has recently been a rash of decisions where members have said "yes, yes, yes!" to then become "no, no, no!"
Firstly, councillors vote at committee for dove grey litter bins in the town centre, then the same councillors decide a week later that black and gold is preferred. If there is indecision on colour schemes, what chance on something of substance?
N
ext, councillors appoint Messrs Thorpe and Drury to produce some "plans" for use of the Section 106 money from Tesco. Plans the town council have total control over. If they don't like their suggestions they can be modified. They approve fees.
Having seen the draft, they instruct Messrs Thorpe and Drury to consult on their draft document and to make a presentation at the annual town meeting. They also decide the highways committee will discuss this matter at its May meeting But one week later this is all ripped up. No chance to consult, no chance to amend initial ideas. Whoever is driving this council just did a handbrake turn.
Finally, the council speculatively purchases land at the rear of the town hall with no clear idea what to do with it. No business case is produced to justify purchase. No research done (afterwards it discovers an archaeological dig has to occur on it before any development can happen!)
Belatedly, they try to decide on priorities for the site and some more offices or a "superloo" come before affordable housing. I bet that wasn't on the Conservatives election leaflets a year ago.
The town council needs to be thoughtful in its decision-making. It needs to be taken seriously by larger councils. It must stop these knee-jerk reactions.
MARION PRESS
Kings Hill
Great Cornard
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