Fallout over proposal for community orchard
‘BULLY’ CLAIM AFTER COMPLAINT MADE OVER ‘RIVAL PLAN’
A KIRKLEES councillor has accused a fellow councillor of trying to “bully” him over rival plans for a community orchard.
Bernard McGuin, (Con, Almondbury), hit out after Lib Dem councillor Alison Munro, (Almondbury), blamed him for delays in her project getting off the ground in a newsletter from Almondbury and Lepton Lib Dems.
Clr Munro in the newsletter wrote: “I first mooted the idea of a community orchard on the recreation ground behind Lepton Square at a Lepton Link meeting in October 2019.
“In May last year I floated the idea on social media and suggested that this could be an appropriate living memorial for the many tragic deaths from Covid and a living tribute to all the people who have selflessly helped others during the pandemic.
“The planting scheme was approved last year and funding is in place and I had hoped the orchard might be started by now. However, when they saw my proposal the local Tories came up with a counter-proposal for a memorial garden for the 1944 Fireworks tragedy, (when seven women and one man lost their lives, at the Lion factory), and this has delayed everything.”
Clr McGuin said: “Parish councillor Bob Smith presented an idea for a memorial garden around Lepton Recreation ground in February 2020.
“Clr. Munro says we have ‘stolen’ her idea and it is not the same. There is room area where the schemes could both be for both schemes. accommodated.
“She has gone to the officers of the “It is simply not true to say I have council to push for the orchard and there blocked her scheme as she is refusing to was no consultation with the residents or meet with me and an officer to discuss myself. details of how both ideas can be forwarded.
“I approached the council on behalf of I am not prepared to be bullied the community group, forming them- by a fellow councillor.” selves as a Lepton Village Preservation Clr Munro has been contacted for further Group, to ask for a masterplan for the comment.