It’s time for local velvet revolution

WHO would want to be a local councillor?

According to a ‘national census of local authority councillors’ they are mostly white, older and male.

They might work hard, but are not remotely representative of modern Britain.

Town and parish councils up and down the country are run like old boys’ clubs, so is it a surprise that democratic engagement is at an all-time low?

With low turnouts, many uncontested local elections, and scant public participation at council meetings, democracy is struggling in the shires – including here in Herefordshire.

If you are an ordinary working person, there are practical issues in getting involved as a local councillor (mostly connected with time and money).

But there is an even more pressing cultural barrier resulting from the deadly manner in which council affairs are managed Light years away from the real world, committee business is governed by the time-worn habits and customs of the mostly older gents who run things.

It is not comfortable to have to work with a peer group with whom you have nothing in common.

When we bemoan the lack of younger, female, diverse councillor candidates and blame it on apathy, laziness or selfishness, we are wrong.

These people are staying away in their droves because they feel like outsiders.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Between now and 2015 we have to get a more representative, energetic and outward-looking group of candidates to stand for election, a hyper-local velvet revolution in the towns and parishes of Herefordshire.

Our communities are crying out for new ideas and energy. We mustn’t be deterred by the stale air and stuffy atmosphere – the change can start now.

Here’s a good place – the Local Government Association’s campaign website. (www.beacouncillor.org.uk).

Or contact me if you’d like to talk about being a local councillor via my website www.richhadley.net.

RICH HADLEY

Independent councillor

Ledbury Town Council

Gloucester Road,

Ledbury

Huge benefits of rail link at Rotherwas

HAVING lived on the continent and understanding the business priorities of large multinational companies I can say that very few volume manufacturers (and therefore employers) would consider locating a plant in an area which did not offer either a usable nearby motorway link or the access to a rail freight depot.

So I was delighted when the independent group members of Herefordshire Council were instrumental in obtaining agreement from London Midland as to the feasibility of extending the existing rail line into Rotherwas.

This would be a huge benefit to employment opportunities in Herefordshire as not only would it make the county more attractive for potential employers but it would put Rotherwas within easy commuting distance of towns like Leominster Malvern and Worcester.

It effectively would provide another passenger/ freight river crossing, thereby reducing road congestion in an environmentally friendly manner. It has been demonstrated that for every £1 put into rail infrastructure there is a payback of £5 to the local economy.

If this development can be expedited quickly before the pending signalling upgrade, the change can be made at minimum cost.

ANGELA PENDLETON

Independent Leominster town councillor,

Upper Hill

Leominster

Face masks for us all?

RURAL residents of Herefordshire be on your guard, because coming to a site near you could be the tentacles of that giant octopus Cargill Meats in the guise of megalithic broiler chicken sheds.

Some local councils, and Herefordshire in particular, seem to have no hesitation in breaching the laid-down guidelines on the proximity of residential properties in granting permissions.

The current planning application by Penrhos/ Cargill is a case in question (High Court case, Hereford Times, May 29).

This court case should not have had to happen and the costs will no doubt filter through on to the council tax.

If this development takes place it will do nothing to enhance Kington.

The population of Kington have a chance to oppose the plan if they act quickly.

Should Cargill get their way, let’s hope they will issue face masks to us all!

JANE BUXTON

Lyonshall

Out of place in rural area

I HAVE every sympathy with the residents of Pencombe threatened, with almost no consultation, by a 252 ft wind turbine in their village.

We, at Acton Green, are now threatened by a similar turbine, 50ft higher than Worcester Cathedral, and ridiculously out of place in this historic and rural area.

They will be seen from many public vantage points including the Malvern Hills and spoil the setting of many listed buildings, part of all our heritage, affecting a good number of businesses relying on tourism.

I wouldn’t mind so much if they worked.

However, it is rapidly becoming clear that onshore wind power is hopelessly inefficient and the National Grid cannot absorb their unpredictable production, so they stand idle a lot of the time.

G2 Energy just wants to build the biggest turbines it can to get its hands on maximum public subsidies, regardless of the impact on local people or the environment and in 20 years’ time, when the subsidies end, it will abandon the sites to become useless eyesores.

MRS JEANIE FALCONER

Acton Court,

Acton Green

Praise for station staff

MAY I thank all the members of staff at Hereford Railway Station for their kindness and efficiency on July 1 when my sister was going home after a short stay.

Under the admirable assisted travel scheme her luggage was taken from my car into an office where we were able to sit down in comfort.

The train was delayed because of a distressing near-miss in Wales causing an earlier cancellation.

Each and every staff member kept us informed of the reason for the delay while being most concerned for the well-being of the poor driver who had avoided a possible collision and was now very shaken.

We are fortunate in Hereford to have such good people looking after the welfare of train passengers, especially the elderly.

MRS VERONICA THOMAS

Lower Bullingham,

Hereford

Leave our trees alone

I AM perplexed and appalled that Herefordshire Council has spent our council tax money desecrating two beautiful trees in Etnam Street in Leominster, reducing them to unsightly stumps, with plans I believe, to do the same to the rest of the street.

Yet the council is prepared to leave grass verges and flowerbeds to grow wild with the excuse that there is no money to tend to them properly.

This bizarre lack of common sense is also evident in Hereford, and the combined effect of this has left parts of Hereford and Leominster looking abandoned and/or decimated.

Please leave the trees alone and cut the verges.

Pay for the verges and flowerbeds to be attended to regularly so that tourists – one of the main sources of income for the county – will still want to come here, and residents can enjoy the county’s trees and lovely townscapes.

MRS E PORTMAN- LEWIS

Etnam Street

Leominster

Video appeal

I AM the national coordinator for the the Bugles and Drums of the Stedfast Association and write seeking the assistance of Hereford people who watched the Armed Forces Day parade on June 28.

I was unable to arrange for anyone to film the band in action and I would like to hear from anyone who videoed the parade to be used for archive and training.

Anyone with footage can contact me on 01684 562426 or hernpaul@aol.com

PAUL HERN

National coordinator,

Bugles and Drums