On blatant Political lines all five Tory councillors voted to block the formation of Spooner row , Wattlefield and Suton forming their own council at South Norfolk today
In an utterly disgraceful exercise where the vast majority of those who TWICE voted to set up own Council, the Electoral review Committee at South Norfolk just ignored the majority view and like the Kings Head meadow fiasco at Wymondham Town pushed through their own agenda.
Why is utterly perplexing but the excuses given were that they have looked after us well for over a 120 years and that it was quality and not quantity that mattered and a very vague suggestion that there would not be enough councillors to form a new council when blatantly that was untrue, as we have well over the recommended number from the first committee recommendation to approve.
If this is an example of how we are governed , and are going to be governed in future this is a complete farce, where democratic process is completely ignored in a time when we are told on a daily basis that 52% is fine and a mandate for action but apparently 90% in favour somehow does not count
This beggars belief and now the whole process is dead in the water in worse case scenario for another 15 years
If you want to continue with this arrangement where a minority opinion will always win the day , because someones nose is out of joint and you have a party that closes ranks to protect itself you know how to vote tomorrow. If on the other hand you want to vote for change and sensible decisions based on what the electorate actually want to happen then you can vote for anyone else.
I am utterly appalled at this and ashamed to be associated with the political system we currently 'enjoy' where blatant self interest and due process apparently count for NOTHING
What is going on here Julian? Is there a hidden agenda perhaps? The surrounding villages all have their own parish councils i.e. Wreningham, Bunwell, Carleton Rode, to name but a few. On what grounds do they base their objections apart from the historical one ?
Quite outstanding how the SNC electoral review committee supported the formation of a new community parish and recommended it, but as soon as the parish council opposed it, the electoral committee changed its position and backed the parish council instead and ignored 97% of the local residents' wishes. This is very clearly NOT Localism.
It's a shame that we don't have a parish council that supports local people. Just how much influence did the local district councillors have over this and I hope our own district councillor supported what the majority of his voters wanted when he spoke at the electoral committee?
This will influence how I will vote in the by-election tomorrow.
Our district councillor spoke VERY strongly against the proposal to form a separate council and one could be forgiven for thinking that this council formation was a personal attack upon his effectiveness. He was, as apparently normal given a full 5 minutes to do so as a ward DISTRICT councillor
The councillors who sat on the committee were Cllr Lewis who approved the motion, and the remainder who are all conservative voted against. Councillor Bills was subsitiutued in for Councillr Lee Hornby who also spoke against this formation as part of the parish council representation. I was not allowed to speak other than as a member of the public and despite my pointing out that there had been some confusion with the rules the chair Cllr Kemp refused to allow me to do so.
One formed the impression from a previously drafted and typed wording to the motion being considered, that their minds had been made up even before we met.
I have attached the wording of my submission which I was NOT allowed to give
As one of the affected Ward members may I respectfully remind the members of the Review committee that the aims of the Community Governance Review are to:
• improve community engagement and local democracy
• facilitate efficient, effective and convenient delivery of local services
• ensure electors across the whole District are treated equitably and fairly
The Council is further required to ensure that community governance within the area under review will be:
• reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area; and
• effective and convenient.
In respect of the identities and interests of the community it is apparent that the majority of residents who responded to the Consultations TWICE made it clear that they wish to form their own Community council.
In respect of consultation 1 which was organised locally, by a massive majority ( 97%) and the second , organised by WTC after a hastily compiled and very late in the day consultation, of 60%+ with a much lower response rate
I would be failing as a Ward Councillor if I did not respect those views and opinions
I would add that to suggest there is strong support in Suton to remain within the governance of Wymondham is not clearly evidenced by the returns posted on the SNC web site. This is the suggested position you have seen given in the WTC letter
It also further suggests that the wider community, i.e. the whole parish of Wymondham be consulted on this issue which to be frank completely undermines the whole Governance review purpose and process as it attempts to swamp out the views of the lesser sized Community. I suggest to you that many residents in Wymondham who do not care a jot for what happens in our area but do not welcome us not paying into the WTC pot, so would obviously object, as it risks causing their precept to raise.
Community Governance Review is required to take into account:
• The impact of community governance arrangements on community cohesion; and
• The size, population and boundaries of a local community or parish.
With regard to both these last respects I have previously had correspondence with the Boundary commission to point that the three sub parishes , for want of a better descriptor , are completely different in character to 95% of the remaining areas of Wymondham in so many respects, namely hardly any street lighting, poor and narrow roads in the majority and a thin population density with no shops and appalling public transport. Indeed the character of Spooner Row et al is different in that it is rural and semi-rural and mainly ribbon development as opposed to dense urban conurbations that we see in the town which is significantly increasing in size almost on a daily basis which is why the suggested new boundary of DT1 was and is mooted. DU1 , the remainder of Cromwells ward is very much affected along these lines which was why the split was suggested along the DT1 boundary line .
It is these aspects which rather bizarrely constitute and contribute to the Community cohesion of the three sub parishes which comprise most of DT1.
I am also bound to point out that the sub parishes have a clear and active community hub already in the village hall.
The three sub parishes feel remote from Wymondham geographically and culturally, with residents often gravitating more to Attleborough than to Wymondham which is just as close.
Communication is often poor and the willingness of the District to approve more new houses into the village, way above our allocated number for a service village, which incidentally no one locally can even begin to afford, further adds to the perception that the views of the residents are not being properly considered. The construction of a new crossroads by the school where safety concerns have just been side-lined, is another example.
The imposition of yet more housing via the Greater Norwich Development Partnership just adds to this view. A new more local Community council will offer its residents a chance to better control their own destiny, make detailed targeted representations and spend money on truly local priorities. A new Community council is clearly what is needed.
I would therefore urge that the EARC recommend to the Boundary commission that they approve this break away from Wymondham Town who in their letter of the 26th October 2017rather arrogantly suggest that they have (satisfactorily) looked after the sub parishes for the last 120 years. This, I would suggest, is not a good reason to effectively attempt to thwart the view of the existing residents who wish to break away.
Given this shambolic exercise in local democracy I am seriously considering resigning and if today's election does not produce a positive vote for change this is even more likely than ever and I am sure there will more than one or two tories who will very happy
I hope you don't resign as you are the only one who talks sense and gives local people any support around here. I am disgusted with the local controlling Tories who strut about with the attitude that only their party politics is all that matters. Treading on and ignoring the aspirations of the majority of local people is not acceptable under any circumstances. How did local politics get this bad?
I'm very disappointed to read (above) that our local Representative, District & Parish Councillor, Jack Hornby spoke for 5 minutes to strongly oppose and not represent and the majority of his voters. Very disappointed indeed.
I can indeed confirm that our erstwhile District Councillor, Jack Hornby, did indeed vote against the formation of a Community Council for Spooner Row, Wattlefield and Suton, having just read the Town Council Minutes dated 10th October 2017 (129/17) where it was resolved, seconded by Councillor Holden, to unanimously write to South Norfolk Council to oppose the formation of such a Community Council. This was upon the resolution by Jack Hornby.
Julian, please do not think about resigning - Spooner Row et al needs you - you are the only person who puts his head above the parapet which is needed more now than ever before.
In the latest WTCs newsletter 'About Wymondham' there is an article reporting that the Town Council is still strongly against the formation of our local community council. This is despite it being a perfectly legit and normal process under the Community Governance Review for local people throughout the country.
Lets hope that the Boundary Commission for England will support us in the changes that a large majority of residents in Spooner Row, Suton and Wattlefield want, leading to improved community cohesion and local representation.
I agree ANON and find it disappointing that the Town Council by a MAJORITY are in favour of opposing the formation of our own Community Council and remain firmly of that view. I have not seen a single valid argument , which under scrutiny justifies this position other than the fact that burials will be charged at the outside Parish rate.
For those who are concerned in this reagrd there are alternatives and these will be explored and the message for Suton and Wattlefield is that your concerns have been noted .
If we get approval what the NEW number of TOWN councillors will be, is not known but I guess it will fall by 2 to 13. For District elections we will still fall under the old Cromwells ward , to be renamed South Wymondham which will have Harts Farm tacked on as well but with TWO councillors instead of the ONE we have now.
The final decision has yet to be made but for District this seems to be set in stone and a reasonably easy transition BUT we must make sure the new Community's views are not swamped by the Town's influence, when hopefully we get approval. Whoever of the two that get elected WILL have to make sure we get heard and our views noted.
