Under scrutiny

FOLLOWING completion the Next Wave seafront project on West Parade was recently reviewed in detail at two very long meetings of the Council's overview and scrutiny committee. The purpose of the review was to respond to widespread public criticism of the project from its inception onwards and to identify lessons to be learned.

During general discussion at the second scrutiny meeting on June 18 an officer recommendation was made that “funding opportunities for the refurbishment of East Parade should now be explored.” Clearly learning at least one lesson from recent “Next Wave” experience the scrutiny committee firmly rejected that proposal and made an unequivocal recommendation in their report to Cabinet that no such action in respect of East Parade should be taken.

At Cabinet on July 2 that recommendation was totally reversed in a clearly orchestrated amendment which was proposed, seconded and carried unanimously. Cabinet has decided therefore that grant funding will now be sought for the “refurbishment of East Parade”.

Representations made at the meting by myself and other colleagues that the Council seems to have learned nothing from the “Next Wave” experience and is now sleep-walking into another seafront confrontation with residents, were ignored.

It was not explained what these so-called “funding opportunities” might be but one is reminded that the much derided shelters on West Parade were the result of another “funding opportunity”! Free lunch anybody?

Once again we see an arrogant and contentious decision affecting Bexhill being taken by a small group of nine councillors, only three of whom represent Bexhill which constitutes half the population of Rother.

As Independent councillors my colleagues and I are committed to changing the current governance arrangements in our town. This latest example fully demonstrates why.

CLLR JOHN LEE

Independent

Collington Ward.