THE FOREST CANNOT LOSE ITS VOICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Members and supporters of the Forest of Dean Progressive Independents are deeply concerned about the direction the current cabinet is taking, as it has shown a worrying lack of consideration for the local issues that affect our community. We believe it is essential to address these concerns and highlight the importance of respecting the community's needs and opinions.First and foremost, we are alarmed by the manner in which local issues are being dealt with by organisations outside of the Council  without adequate consultation or consideration for the impact they may have on our community. The fence that has been put up by the Environment agency on a site at Lydney Harbour that has received so much hard work and hard fought for funding, is an outrageous and damaging move.Similarly Forestry England's continued drive towards change at Cannop Ponds is both concerning from a loss of local amenities viewpoint but more importantly is flying completely in the face of local public opinion..We firmly believe that decisions that affect our community should be made in consultation with those who will be directly impacted, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the potential implications.Furthermore, it is disheartening to hear of a viewed lack of respect for the community's voice. The current cabinet's failure to publicly  address these concerns and opinions of the community demonstrates a disregard for the democratic process.While there is no evidential link between the administration and these two  issues , it is perhaps telling that neither Forestry England nor The Environment Agency displayed the current level of disdain for public opinion when the previous cabinet was in place. Perhaps they see the Green administration as one more sympathetic to such moves?We firmly believe that a local government should be accountable to its citizens and should actively engage in open and inclusive discussions to ensure that the voices of all community members are heard and respected. Sometimes that means the Leader of the Council or relevant Cabinet member publicly speaking out on behalf of the community, the silence from the current administration is certainly a worry.We are also extremely concerned at the reported approach and attitude of the current cabinet to local organisations and businesses. Every such business in the Forest of Dean , that employs, educates and brings financial and community growth into the Forest of Dean is to be cherished , nurtured and supported .They do not deserve to be disrespected and dismissed simply because they may not follow a national party's ideology to the letter.The consequences of such actions and relationship breakdowns are far-reaching. By neglecting the concerns of the community and local business the council may be failing to provide a platform for meaningful participation, the current cabinet is eroding the trust and confidence that the people have placed in their elected representatives. This not only hinders the progress and development of our community but also undermines the principles of democracy upon which our society is built.

For now, as they are a new administration and perhaps need time to understand the importance of the issues mentioned , The Progressive Independent team will simply but strongly ,urge the current cabinet to reassess its approach and take immediate steps to rectify the situation. We call for a renewed commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and respect for the community's needs and opinions. It is only through collaborative and consultative decision-making processes that we can ensure the sustainable and equitable development of our community.

We are committed to working with all stakeholders, including the current cabinet, to address these concerns and find solutions that prioritise the well-being and interests of our community. We believe that together, we can create a more inclusive and responsive governance system that truly serves the needs of all.