The Tories now have a virtual stranglehold in Adur…
Posted by Peter in Opinion under Adur | Council Watch | Local Government & Democracy | Worthing | on May 30 2007
Dear Editor,
Brian Stephens made a number of points in his Personal View, May 4 th edition, when taking a look at the elections.
One reason that the public would appear to be apathetic is that they are not well informed of the conduct of local affairs, and your own paper together with the Argus can be criticised, for in days past both newspapers sent reporters to meetings to observe and report. This does not now happen and there is therefore a reliance on press releases. These then are tailored to suit the Council and do not cover the unpopular decisions.
For instance the decision that for the year 2006/7 councillors would receive increases of allowances averaging 23 per cent was not publicised and it was left to me to expose this in a letter published in these columns. There are also those services of a general nature, not apparent to the public which are deleted for reasons of economy.
Exposure of these would allow the public to see that there is money for increased allowances but not for other services: they would then be able to make a considered judgement, and perhaps then take an interest in elections.
The Tories now have a virtual stranglehold in Adur it is therefore more important that our local papers take a greater interest, having lost my seat I will not be able to continue as the eyes and ears of the Herald.
Yours faithfully
Peter Berry
Stoney Lane
Shoreham
