Confusion as police stop people driving for walks
REFERENCE the letter from Julian Waghorn (Newbury Weekly News, August 6). I am not too familiar with the original planning implications, but have followed the arguments in the NWN. The letter from Mr Waghorn raises some very serious questions regarding the officers.
In that vain I was particularly interested to read the comment regarding the size of West Berkshire Council as a unitary authority. No revising chamber other than Judicial Review (at a cost of £60,000) – not available to the taxpayer.
This has created a system of impunity which appears to be pursued by councillors and officers alike, pushing aside every hope of democratic governance.
It also raises the question of the cost effective ratio/size of area/number of electors and salaries of officers. While the salaries are being compared with other unitary authorities it can not be on a like-for-like basis.
West Berkshire Council is too small a unit to be cost effective and would not stand up to market assessment.
I have seen democracy deteriorate since the change. There appears to be an air of assurance and safety in everything officers do.
Let’s not forget the breaking up of the Royal County of Berkshire may have been a political decision, what a loss. DORIS R COLLOFF
Kintbury
I READ with interest the letters concerning the virtual meetings held by West Berkshire Council.
Having recently placed two public questions before the council for the first time I have these comments: Having WBC meetings broadcast is a wonderful improvement and the public are able to view the meetings live without having to attend a chamber in the middle of a town at busy times. Many councils have been doing this for some time, and likewise many councils issue really great informative newsletters weekly via email, social media and other communication channels.
Thankfully during the pandemic WBC have also availed themselves of such facilities and we are now able to sign up to receive news into our inboxes proactively, as well as watch Zoom meetings. Big tick, and thanks to the employees who made this happen.
With regard to raising questions, I have found the whole process rather long-winded and probably a turn off for many people.
I missed the deadline for the Health and Wellbeing Board in May by a few hours as I misunderstood the lead-in time of two clear working days, which has now been clarified on the website. Then the questions were to go to full council in July which was cancelled as there was nothing to discuss, despite being in the middle of a pandemic? in July along with 21 other questions and these questions were not read out and were shown quickly on slides, with the answers arriving over a week later via email and a rather ‘buried’ link on the website.
My questions were not particularly of interest to the majority of West Berks residents as they concerned the transfer of Covid-19 patients out of
NHS beds into care settings, however the immediate thing that struck me as I watched the meeting live was: ‘What if I was blind or partially sighted?’
How would I know what these questions were without the assistance of someone else?
Therefore I do not feel the current process is very democratic, especially to a minority group who are at a distinct disadvantage in trying to comprehend the whole of a meeting. And personally, as I did not have the ability to ask a ‘supplementary’, I will now go through the whole process again for the next scheduled meeting in order to obtain a bit more information. On another positive note, throughout all this the Democratic Services team were most helpful in guiding me through, and most prompt and courteous when responding to my emails.
PAULA SAUNDERSON
River Walk
Shaw (Newbury Weekly News, August 6). I wish her good fortune. I tried to access democracy at council level when charges came to the Wharf bridge. None was available. Prior to that, I sought democratic accountability at MP and Westminster level, regarding voting impropriety. Integrity was not at home.
BARRIE SINGLETON
River Walk
Shaw