We need impartial review (From Basingstoke Gazette)

We need impartial review

8:45am Friday 29th June 2012 in Letters

Sir.–The Basing and Lychpit Conservatives would like to support the spirit of a letter from Councillor Sven Godesen.

It is worthy of note that we represent a large proportion of the electorate of our ward and consider it our duty to protect their interests.

It’s also worth reminding ourselves that a recent High Court judgement found the Conservative-led borough council were guilty of ‘unlawful’ and ‘irrational’ behaviour in their handling of the Local Development Framework (LDF), with particular reference to their refusal to include land which was purchased in 1996 for the purpose of the future expansion needs of our town.

My committee recently voted to publicise their displeasure over the way this finding is apparently now being dismissed by the borough council.

There have been no resignations, as there would have probably been in the private sector and no apparent accountability.

The audit committee of the borough council has recommended a suitable external body to examine the events. However, the administration appears to be seeking to conduct an ‘internal review’. It is important that the public are allowed to feel that this matter has been examined by a competent and impartial professional body.

It is worth stating that in other respects, the Conservative-led administration appears to be performing well in difficult times, by freezing the council tax two years in succession, re-developing the town centre and maintaining services.

–Tony Fendall, Chairman, Basing and Lychpit Branch Conservatives.