Who’s in charge?

The latest development, a planners’ meeting of invited developers, Arun District and Angmering Parish Councillors to discuss ‘a scheme of circa 600 dwellings’ at Roundstone Lane is another shabby attempt to circumvent the will of the local electorate.

They are showing utter contempt for the Angmering neighbourhood plan, a publicly available working document of which they are aware.

Whether the officers are trying to covertly control the council or the councillors are running scared of an officer revolt, should they genuinely reflect the wishes of their electorate, is academic. Either one is both disgraceful and unacceptable.

Professional ‘kudos’ is usurping any obligation to the very people who either elect or employ both councillors and officers.

If ultimately, on this or any other occasion, national Government of whatever political persuasion is to override local democracy, then we should at least expect our elected representatives and the council officers WE employ to show backbone and be prepared to fall with us.

Roger Miles

Arundel Road

Angmering