Anger that cost of living crisis was cut from agenda

Monday’s meeting of the Maidenhead Town Forum saw Liberal Democrat councillor John Baldwin storm out of the council chamber after his speech on the cost of living crisis was cut short.

Councillor Baldwin (Belmont) was unhappy with chairman Cllr David Coppinger (Con, Bray) for calling time on his agenda item.

He had been due to speak on the impacts of the cost of living crisis on the borough’s residents, and the potential help the council could offer residents.

Cllr Coppinger asked Cllr Baldwin whether this was something he could ‘discuss with officers’ rather than the town forum, with the Liberal Democrat claiming he had participated in ‘many discussions’ with council staff about the issue.

After continuing with his speech, Cllr Coppinger cut in to say it was ‘not relevant to this forum in my opinion as chairman’.

He added he was conscious of the time already accrued, with another agenda item still to be discussed.

Cllr Baldwin replied: “This is a vital issue for Maidenhead residents and what you seem to be saying is that it is a little inconvenient because you need to finish at 9 o’clock.” He added that he ‘strongly protests’ the ‘preposterous decision’ and will be emailing ‘everybody under the sun’ about the chairman’s conduct.