Lib Dem Councillors in Bath & North East Somerset have made fresh calls for transparency in decision-making from the Conservative administration running the Council.
Image courtesy of B&NES Council
The calls come after a week which saw Cabinet resignations and rumours that the controversial East of Bath park and ride project may be cancelled, but no official statement was issued from the Council leadership.
Lib Dem Leader, Councillor Dine Romero (Southdown), commented: “This Conservative administration has been characterised by secretiveness and opaque decision making.
“It’s not right that important changes to Council services have been introduced with no consultation and with a lack of clarity around processes.
“The switch to fortnightly waste collections, with the imposition of wheelie bins against many residents’ wishes, and the muddled consultation over the future of the library service, with Cabinet members refusing to meet campaigners or answer questions, show an administration which expects to impose its will and brook no opposition.
“The recent spate of Cabinet resignations shows that this administration is divided and in disarray. We have now had a week of rumours that the East of Bath park and ride scheme may be cancelled.
“This is no way to run effective local government. It’s time for the Conservative Cabinet to be open with residents and be clear about what is going on, before they waste even more time charging up dead ends.”
Councillor Alison Millar, (Bathavon North) said: “For two years, the residents of my ward have had to live with the threat of the destruction of their local environment.
“This uncertainty is not fair on residents to the East of Bath who are in a state of suspense about the future of Bathampton Meadows and whether or not the Conservatives have any realistic and deliverable plans to improve air quality and cut congestion.
“Comments by Cabinet members and ex-Cabinet members clearly show that a decision has been made behind closed doors. Why the delay in announcing it to the public?
“I call on the new Cabinet member for Transport to move swiftly to set minds at rest. Along with my local residents I would be delighted to see the back of this expensive and destructive folly.”
