Why is there no replacement?

I find it disturbing that Councillor Peter Burgess, who last week resigned his role as Horsham Town cabinet member, is not being replaced, at least in the short term.

This will leave the Horsham town without representation on the council. I understand that there can be overlap with Cabinet Members’ portfolios yet for government and local government to be effective, joined up thinking is required and overlap between portfolios is

inevitable.

For example, the Local Plan cuts across all the portfolios and as this is being considered now, it is urgent that we have a replacement for Councillor Burgess and that the role is made to work.

We are facing very challenging times and the town needs representation. 40 per cent of the population lives here; it is over-developed without the infrastructure to cope or a masterplan for the future; there is a lack of social and affordable housing; our green spaces, retail provision and nonstatutory services are under threat. Someone with local intelligence, power and vision is needed at the heart of the Cabinet to ensure that Horsham is a town that will thrive in the future.

Without a Horsham town Cabinet Member, the remaining Cabinet Members are going to have to work much harder at listening to the Neighbourhood Councils and other groups representing the residents of Horsham.

Peter Burgess did at least acknowledge emails, but I have found some Cabinet Members have not replied to important representations, even when directly related to their own portfolio.

Perhaps they did read what was sent to them, they may have disagreed, but how will we know our local insights and concerns have been properly considered if we are met with silence? SALLY SANDERSON Parkside Mews,

Horsham