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As Progressive Independents we don't whip, we don't steer and we don't fall out if one of us has a different view.We have always shared the view that the Council, the Forest of Dean and our community is what matters, not politics , not a party and not the national or worldwide agenda .We have always been prepared to work with anyone who holds those same values,We truly believe that is what the FODDC is all about.
Even when the Greens , with the support of others, took the helm we were hopeful that we could hold enough sway, make enough noise, and debate in such a way that we could ensure those values remained.
For the first time, we now have doubts. For the first time we are not sure, for the first time we cannot change things.
The Council is descending into an expensively run environmental extremist central office.Not only do the administration not change their view , they actually ignore direct questions from others,
There are currently a string of real concerns that are just being ignored/
It's been 14 months since a debate on Public toilets (where the cabinet member responsible made incorrect statements about the original closures but its ok they apologised later) and promises about refurbishment were made. Anyone seen any refurbishment of our Public toilets ?
Has anyone actually seen the costs for bringing things back in house and scrapping PUBLICA ? Lots of noise but no figures and other Councils are getting itchy about the costs , We continue to sit in the dark as we emply more and more enviromental officers,
It's been 12 months since the Green Cabinet said they intended to ignore the findings of a Scrutiny Panel into what the Council should do about the Cinderford Northern Quarter and do their own thing ( after the then Leader had to apologise for making incorrect statements about the site). Has anyone seen anything happen in the Cinderford Northern Quarter ?
We asked and were assured on three separate occasions by the cabinet member responsible that by the time the very expensive new battery powered refuse vehicles were being used , the FODDC would have a working transfer station with its own Green energy supplied EV charging points. Do we have it ? Are the EV chargers in place ? Is the energy 100% Green as promised ? Those vehicles are now bought and in use. Anyone seen the transfer depot or the ev chargers ?
We have spent thousands on a public consultation on the new Local Plan. Just hold off and wait until we asked before the election. Let's wait and see if planning laws stay the same. Oh no they said we press ahead , spending time and money only for the target numbers for the Forest to nearly double rendering the Local Plan useless , in need of a rewrite and then more consultation.
This will bring back the spectres of new settlements at Churcham and Glynchbrook despite the assurances.
Costly and contentious Biosphere Reserve designation was not on the agenda last autumn when the cabinet revealed their corporate strategy . Well its is back now and an officer is being employed for nearly £40k to ensure it happens.We have asked how many officers there are now , who have a role that is linked in some way to the Green agenda and environment and how much do those salaries cost the council? We haven't had an answer
Nothing at all has happened with Five Acres, Councillors have been reduced to pleading for information. This was a planned , financed and public project that has sank into secrecy and inactivity. We now find out that FODDC haven't even agreed the lease agreement with West Dean Parish Council to start building. Planning permission was obtained 7 months ago, Has anyone seen anything being built ?
Newland bridge still hasn't been repaired despite it being absolutely crucial in May 2023.We have Green lobbyists and their campaign manager asking public questions in council meetings.
We have motions telling our farmers what they should grow or keep, telling you what you should eat.We seem them not declaring if they are members or supporters of extremist groups
We see them opposing new roads that would alleviate traffic congestion
And just last week we saw a cabinet member publicly attempt to scupper a major regeneration opportunity in Lydney that would bring hundreds of jobs and real economic change to the area because he felt entitled to do so. Lets not worry about rules or legalities or allow the Development committee of trained councillors to make the decision instead of an entitled individual who clearly believes it is his role to lecture and inform. He knows best.
We have asked all these things and haven't had any answers and are not confident of getting any
We have started fearing the worst on all these issues.
Its now 16 months since the Greens took power. Has anyone seen a single thing they have actually done that doesnt include the enviroment and writing a large cheque ?
