Democracy sacrificed on the altar of expediency and profit?

The 13th of February 2013 was a black day for democracy and constitutional representation at the Sprowston Parish Town Council meeting.

The Town Council received numerous written submissions in opposition of the development proposed by Beyond Green, they then invited members of the public to speak, all voiced objections. Each Councillor in attendance, bar the Chairperson, then raised their own concerns, some of whom spoke both eloquently and at length. Not one word was uttered in support of the development.

Given the aforementioned events any reader would reasonably assume that there would be a unanimous vote voicing opposition, representing the opinions of those who elected the guardians of democracy and, if we are to believe the words they speak with such ease, represent the Councillors own views. No, there was what can only be described as a brief discussion at which point the Chairperson moved the meeting onto listing any concerns they have but, in principal, supporting the development. How can this happen, voter apathy is one conclusion enabling such arrogance. Clearly, our representatives would rather ignore the electorate than risk upsetting a developer who, rumour would have it, are backed by Merchant Banks and no doubt seek an easy profit.

Why was there no move to vote, you may draw your own conclusion, but my guess, no vote leaves no record. In 2015, how many of the elected representatives will point to the fact that they never voted in support of the development when seeking their next term in office.

18 comments:

  1. Many of us have said that DEMOCRACY is dead in Broadland and sadly this Parish Council meeting just goes to prove the point. What ever has happened from the days when we elected Councillors to SERVE US and they did, but not anymore. The whole thing is disgraceful.

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  2. This is yet another example of a council blatantly ignoring it's residents and the electorate and one must question if those councillors have an undeclared interest in see such development going ahead.
    Until very recently Rackheath and Salhouse Parish Councils did the same thing although thankfully changes have taken place and they are now both opposing these huge and destructive developments.
    Unfortunaltely Broadland District Council under the leadership of cllr. A. Proctor and his Conservative flock continue to ignore everyone. They are the main culprits who are backing these ridiculous plans which would not only destroy the countryside and the local peoples quality of life but would also do irrepairable damage to local businesses and tourism.
    These deaf and dictatorial Tories must be ousted come election time.

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Anonymous West Norfolk4 March 2013 at 12:44

    Further to my comment at the end of the comments on the article of 21st Jan (about the Trust for Devizes, the Devizes Guardians, traffic fumes), there is a big court case coming up on March 7th at the Supreme Court.

    The EU has threatend to press criminal charges against the UK (and in particular London) because of failure to reduce oxides of nitrogen concentrations which is now a criminal offence in EU law. It is against UK law too, but not a criminal offence.

    The government has admitted it is at fault, but says it will not act unless the EU makes it act, which is bad PR to say the least.

    You can watch the case via a live link to the Supreme Court, it will be like watching paint dry despite the exciting subject - but whatever the outcome is, the mere fact that the Supreme Court is hearing the issue means that NO2 emissions HAVE to come down and that means there MUST be fewer cars everywhere, not just in London.

    This is not for Climate Change - this is because NO2 wrecks your health, as do the dioxins in traffic fumes. Never mind about Climate Change - it is too late to stop that anyway.

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  5. Anonymous West Norfolk4 March 2013 at 12:57

    Just to make my point about the Supreme Court case clear: we tend to think these Environmental Laws from the United Nations (via the EU but we would have to have them even if we weren't in the EU) are dictatorial, because we did not elect anyone making these laws or indeed anyone at the United Nations.

    But when Democracy dies, you look around for someone to read the Riot Act to those in charge - because it is no longer enough to oust them at election, because they are ALL THE SAME! Because it is about Money vs. Life now. And those in power always choose Money.

    So you need something Draconian - and that something is the big international laws on the Environment. They are not obeyed at all at present, and not enforced either as there is no-one to enforce them.

    The only place you can get them obeyed and enforced is in court - but very few can afford to do this. Client Earth who have taken the government to court about traffic fumes are a group of young lawyers with small funds, but at least they don't have to hire lawyers which is the main expense!

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  6. Can someone from SNUB please explain why they have been so quiet re The Jeans Developement on the Salhouse Road. This is totally inappropiate both in size and location. SNUB are very verbal on other developments but seem uninterested in this one. Is it because it is on Rackheath side of the railway !


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  7. SNUB have always supported small developments like Trinity Close in Rackheath and followed the wishes of both the community and the democratically elected Parish Council.

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  8. I seem to recall that the community are not too keen on this particular development. Neither was Broadland. The density of this development is excessive and rumour is that Jeans could have a number of options on land, possibly another in Rackheath. If however, it turns out he has some in Salhouse then perhaps we shall see SNUB wake up again. Blofield and Costessey also had unwanted sites foisted on them recently when the Inspector overturned District Council decisions on the grounds of a lack of 5yr housing land supply and the lack of a current Local Plan.

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  9. SNUB are much more interested in the DC and CC elections to take too much notice of local-to-home issues. They have now spread their net far and wide and inevitably will not be looking after their supporters as they claimed they would.

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  10. And they don't allow criticism on their precious blog.

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  11. I'm not sure who anonymous is however if they would like to show themselves then I'm happy to have an open and transparent debate. SNUB is a small group of like-minded people covering all political persuasions. The one thing that unites us the lack of democracy in this county and after years of fighting it outside the council chambers and are all now supporting me in my attempt, along with 12 others across the county, to get inside the council chambers as an Independent to try and restore democracy.

    This small group have taken three local authorities to the high court and won, delayed the construction of thousands of unwanted and unnecessary houses and are now fighting a honest election campaign on the lack of democracy. At least we are happy to stand up and be counted and have the courage of our convictions. Two of our members are now on Parish Councils (Salhouse and Rackheath) as we take our campaign into the elected bodies that are there to represent us.

    I am not here to pass judgement on every single application that is put before the planning committee. Rackheath PC have made their views known about the latest applications and SNUB as an advocate of democracy will follow the line that this elected body takes.

    I suspect that anonymous is probably someone from the opposition who is running scared that I might actually get elected and are reverting to dirty tricks and hiding behind ill informed comments rather than showing themselves. Perhaps it was you who cut down my election banner in Blofield yesterday!

    Anyway let me know who you are and lets have the open discussion.

    Stephen Heard
    01603 722581

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  12. How many of Rackheath PC have been elected democratically (by your standards) and how many have been co-opted eg Stuart Lindsey of SNUB, a system you have openly tried to discredit?

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  13. Perhaps you should ask the Rackheath PC that question yourself. I would guess the same number as on Salhouse PC. By the way its Stewart and not Stuart. If you are going to name people whilst keeping your own as anon then it is only polite to get it right!

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  14. Hopefully the next few weeks will produce more important items to discuss than the spelling of Christian names. My spelling mistake was unintentional but your patronizing rebuke was not. Hardly an endearing doorstepping quality.

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  15. Anonymous 14th & 15th April obviously has nothing better to do than criticise others who are prepared to do something for the residents.
    I suggest he or she joins their parish council rather than criticise.

    Ivan Smith
    Station Road,
    Dalhouse.

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  16. Dear Ivan Smith of Dalhouse, perhaps you could provide the same information as to what you do other than criticize Councillors and when you last served on a Parish Council?

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  17. I have, as Anonymous has not taken up my offer to call me, asked our Blog Editor to block anymore comments from this particular Anonymous contributor as I'm not prepared for the hard working volunteers from SNUB to be criticised by someone who is not prepared to identify themselves.

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  18. Anonymous 14th & 15th April.
    For your information I happen to be serving on the committee of a village Hall which I have done for over 6 years and would not be able to attend many of my Parish Council meetings.
    Unlike you, I am not criticising others who are doing something for their community whilst hiding behind an anonymous comment.


    Ivan Smith
    Station Road,
    Salhouse.

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