Consultation just plain farcical (From News Shopper)

Consultation just plain farcical

11:19am Tuesday 9th March 2004 in Letters

Bexley's Labour council claims to have consulted on its allotments strategy but the consultation is little more then a farce.

I live in Love Lane, Bexley the location of one of the new upgraded sites. But, as a resident, I have not been consulted.

Allotment holders I have spoken to do not want to give over their plots which they have spent years tending for six months, only to have to return and start all over again. They will, understandably, simply abandon them.

We have seen how the council has trampled over plot holders at the Longlands Road site in Sidcup which they seem to want to use to build housing on.

Bexley's Labour council should remember it only has to lose one by-election in the borough and it is out of office.

The Liberal Democrats would then work to ensure the council properly consults on issues and ends its present policy of taking decisions behind closed doors.

An initial step in regaining at least some small amount of trust would be to properly consult on its allotments policy rather than riding roughshod over residents.

Duncan Borrowman GLA candidate for Bexley & Bromley Liberal Democrats