Democracy needs collaboration

I am pleased to read the featured letter from April 18, entitled “Let’s work together”.

It was suitably amplified by Cllr Ferris’s letter correcting the record on Conservative misstatements regarding the Local Plan. Together, these captured my growing unease with Conservative campaign literature and a partisan strategy of attack rather than a strategy of collaboration.

Like other readers, I have received a flood of Conservative leaflets or read published letters that, to me, grossly mischaracterise Council discussions and published consultation materials. As a citizen who simply reads the Council’s weekly emails, here are some key topics where context has been completely absent from Conservative literature:

Wheelie bin replacement – While there is a one-off cost, it will save many millions of pounds in future years and produce a significant savings to the Council’s budget.

Far from being a radical proposal, fortnightly collection will bring us inline with 85% of the nation’s councils.

Shute End Council Offices - As above, downsizing the Council offices by moving/selling the Shute End location has a one-off cost, but will produce significant ongoing savings.

Local Plan/Housing - There is currently a Local Plan in effect, as drafted under a past Conservative council, with replacement due in

2026.

The most critical element slowing the new Local Plan is the non-response by the national government to Council requests to lower targets based on past overbuilding.

Democracy is based on collaboration across different views to maximise public good. I’m proud that the Wokingham Council has shed its one-party domination and had hoped for better collaboration. The Borough faces significant challenges, many of them financial, and we deserve a Council that can disagree, but share facts and show a willingness to work together.

Lastly, regardless how you vote, please do vote in the local elections on May 2 (remember ID is now required).

Tom Ross, via email