At the recent Borough Council meeting Nigel Dugmore, Conservative Group Leader requested shadow cabinet briefings from officers, which were recently stopped, to resume so that “we can make suggestions, better understand and challenge Council policies and decisions".

In opposition my group have a mandate to represent our electors and be consulted.  We can only do that if we have the information to monitor and call to account the decisions taken by the administration.  We do this by receiving briefings from Council officers who can give us the information requested without prejudice and political slant. 

"I was therefore disappointed that my request was rejected by the administration and once again request that opposition briefings are reinstated so that we can perform the duties required of us as opposition councillors”.

Hortonwood

He then went on to highlight concerns about the implementation of a road scheme in Hortonwood.

He said, “it is a brave administration that ignores the will of the electorate yet this one seems to make a habit of it.  The closure of a narrow single car gap in Hortonwood has caused a significant amount of anger to residents who now face a long detour to access their properties in the villages from Horton to Kynnersley and beyond.  This was done over the Christmas and New Year period with minimum consultation to satisfy the legal requirements. The closure will benefit a very small number of residents and disadvantage a huge number.  Emergency vehicles will have a 10 minute detour, which could have fatal consequences. Yet this Council has pushed ahead with the closure with scant regard for the effected population.

Without meaningful consultation democracy diminishes.