BRIDGWATER FORWARD CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT PUBLIC INQUIRY
Today’s meeting of Sedgemoor’s Corporate Scrutiny Committee
showed that Sedgemoor Tories do not understand public accountability! The news
that Somerset County Council has subsidised Tesco’s planning application to the
tune of £20,000 of taxpayers’ money was met with suggestions from Tory
councillors that “Somerset County Council should deal with this”!
Bridgwater Forward says local people want to know why and
how a deal was struck that enabled Tesco to duck part of their planning application
fees, and why taxpayers have been asked to foot the bill!
Labour councillors have tried to call officers and
councillors to account for bailing out Tesco, who have refused to pay the full
cost of their planning application to build on the Brewery Fields and Northgate
site.
'willing to subsidise a supermarket giant'
Councillor Julian Taylor (Labour) asked why a relatively
impoverished local authority would be willing to subsidise a supermarket giant,
and why it had taken so long to get answers to questions about the delays.
Given the unnecessary
demolition of the Splash swimming pool and now this subsidy for Tesco ,
it is easy to understand why local
people have lost faith and confidence in
the ability of Sedgemoor District Council to act in the best interests of
Bridgwater.
Bridgwater Forward calls for an independent public inquiry
into the proposed sale of the Northgate site to Tesco.
Yet again Tescos shows that it has high leverage with local authorities. This is an absolute disgrace which would never be allowed were it not for the fact that vested interfest wants this development to go ahead - come what may.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the Starbucks' effect might shame them into paying up and reimbursing us.
ReplyDelete