The two scrutiny committees (Corporate and Community) of the district council have recently introduced new procedures whereby members of the public may either comment on matters on the current agenda at meetings or suggest an item for the agenda of a forthcoming meeting.
It is difficult to comment on matters on an agenda without knowing beforehand what will be said at the meeting, but suggesting an item for future discussion is simple.
If this initiative proves successful then I understand that Cabinet will consider introducing a similar system for their monthly meetings. This should certainly help to hold these committees to account.
Accordingly, at the Community Scrutiny meeting last week I asked the committee to consider certain matters relating to the closure of Staunton Lane from Redbrook to Staunton which was done without consultation of residents. A Highways officer from county council Highways Department happened to be present and was able to comment. Although his reply was not entirely satisfactory, at least the matter has been raised at district council level and the officer pledged that the closure will not be permanent.
I urge anyone with a question to put it to the scrutiny committees, either by contacting Democratic Services at the Forest of Dean District Council or going in person to pose it. It is important to question the actions of the district council particularly as Cabinet members now appear to have delusions of grandeur, referring to themselves at the last full council meeting, with no hint of self-parody, as 'senior councillors'.
This inevitably reminded me of Orwell's Animal Farm in which 'all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others'. How illuminating it is to see life imitating art!– Daphne Pearson (Dr), Tinman's Green, Redbrook.