Cllr Jim Kenyon of It's our County, Hereford City and Herefordshire Councils, says the Tories do not listen to advice (From Hereford Times)

Cllr Jim Kenyon of It's our County, Hereford City and Herefordshire Councils, says the Tories do not listen to advice

3:00pm Wednesday 2nd May 2012 in Letters

I WOULD like to take this opportunity to reply to Councillor Nenadich’s letter (Readers’ Times, April 12). As an IOC councillor I too attended the cabinet meeting regarding the Edgar Street Grid and I regularly attend cabinet as an observer.

I also attend health and wellbeing meetings as an observer and get involved as much as I can but it is very difficult as an opposition councillor. This is because the Conservative administration is so closed in and doesn’t ask what experience we have or in fact whether we’d like to help make decisions and get involved.

I am fully aware of the difficulties of the adult social care budget and left the cabinet meeting rushing off to a Hereford Shopmobility meeting because that is at risk of funding being withdrawn by this administration due to budget restraints. So, when Coun Nenadich asks ‘where were the councillors for the IOC’? This should answer his question.

Finally, regarding the grid, I signed the ‘call in’ paper, so it was put on the overview and scrutiny meeting agenda for discussion. I was not keen on the development at all costs. There were alternatives and they needed to be explored. I have now been assured that the cinema will be opened when the supermarket is because one of the changes meant that we could have ended up with one more supermarket and nothing else. As a Hereford city and county councillor that would not be acceptable. The value for money issue has not been answered and I will keep a listening watch on that.

COUNCILLOR JIM KENYON, It’s Our County, Hereford City and Herefordshire Councils.