Monday 21 July 2008

Putting the record straight?

Here is a condensed transcript of a letter from the Clerk of Aldingbourne Parish Council which was published in this month's "Yapton News and Views."

Putting the record straight

I have been asked by the Parish Council to write to you with regard to the proposals for an Eco-town at Ford ... it would seem evident that many people believe Aldingbourne Parish Council is connected with the proposals for an Eco-town as promoted by Ford Enterprise Hub. You will know the members of Ford Enterprise Hub... Tony Dixon, a resident in Aldingbourne Parish and former District Councillor, Harold Hall, a former County Councillor representing Aldingbourne and John Penfold, the present Chairman of Aldingbourne Parish Council.

The Parish Council would like to make it clear that it is not involved in the proposals for an Eco-town at Ford and Ford Enterprise Hub does not have the support of the Parish Council. At this point in time, the Parish Council still has an open mind and is neither for, nor against, an Eco-town at Ford.

The Council hopes this letter may help dispel the misconceptions which appear to be prevalent at the present time.

Yours etc
Lawrence Tirebuck
Clerk of Aldingbourne Parish Council ... Read the whole letter here.


Maybe I missed a meeting, but I can't see how the statements ... "The Parish Council is not involved in the proposals for an eco-town" and ...
"
John Penfold, the present Chairman of Aldingbourne Parish Council" ... can credibly appear on the same page!

I can foresee the argument that Mr. Penfold is conducting his campaign as a resident, rather than from his platform as Council Chairman, and - like Mr Hall - has no political or financial interest in the eco-town, but it is becoming glaringly obvious to anyone not suffering from terminal naivety that there is a strong case for conflict of interest.

It cannot go unnoticed that despite the District and Parish Councils that are affected by the eco-town proposal being unanimous in their opposition, Aldingbourne Parish Council is still -apparently- sitting on the fence!
While I applaud Mr. Tirebuck's efforts to distance members of his Parish Council from this lamentable proposal, as long as one of the main architects and enthusiastic supporters of the eco-town continues to sit in the 'Chair,' his efforts to "dispel the misconceptions" are severely lacking in credibility.

By chance, there is another letter published in the same issue from an Aldingbourne resident, (who significantly withheld their name and address), stating that ..."You have many supporters in this Parish ... it is my cherished belief that all local parishes should co-operate against the development of all greenfield sites in our neighbourhood; our strength should be in supporting each other."

If this letter demonstrates the sentiments of the majority in the parish, then perhaps it is time for Aldingboune Parish Council to assess the opinions of their local residents, act in their interest and make up its "open mind."
I would submit that, should the general consensus go against the eco-town proposal, then Mr Penfold's position as Chairman is untenable, and he should stand down.

This is probably one of the most important challenges that Arun District has ever had to face. We need to be united and unanimous in our opposition to this proposal. Any suggestion of a conflict of interest should be addressed ... and addressed quickly!

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