Herefordshire Council's 'secret' hearing met with fierce opposition (From Hereford Times)
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Herefordshire Council's 'secret' hearing met with fierce opposition
4:43pm Thursday 5th April 2012 in Hereford City
CABINET members have this afternoon approved a number of new terms to the city's multi-million pound Old Market project amid an extraordinary meeting.
Around 50 members of the public at the council's Brockington headquarters were barred from listening to part of the debate because it contained sensitive information.
The decision was met with cries of anger from the public gallery and opposition councillors.
"There is nothing in this report that is personally sensitive but there is much that is politically sensitive," said Lib Dem leader Terry James, who along with Independent leader Bob Matthews and It's Our County head Mark Hubbard refused to sit in on the private part of the agenda.
"I don't wish to be party to such a charade," Coun James added.
The meeting resumed after 40 minutes of private debate.
Tory members, including Coun Russell Hamilton, said they fully supported the scheme.
"Are you going to sit by and watch the demise of this this city while others develop," he said.
"I ask cabinet to support this because in my opinion the county has no future without it."
For the full story see next week's Hereford Times.
Comments(7)
Herefordian
says...
6:09pm Thu 5 Apr 12
Are you suggesting Hfd United move to Westfields Football ground?
RACH01
says...
6:41pm Thu 5 Apr 12
Lukio
says...
8:02pm Thu 5 Apr 12
Herefordian
says...
10:13pm Thu 5 Apr 12
Sorry as you mentioned Mrs Chave I assumed you meant the land where Westfields FC is situated. So how much land did she bequeath to the City and where?
Really interested because I live in Chave Court which is obviously named after her or was that Miss Chave (same person?)
Great respect to Bob Matthews, knows the area inside out, speaks his mind and not a lot of drival!!
Agree with Lukio
lookingintoart
says...
10:43pm Thu 5 Apr 12
RACH01
says...
11:23pm Thu 5 Apr 12
As I am lead to believe Edgar Street ground was bequeathed to the city for sporting use.
I believe this was also from Mrs Chave (Chave & Jackson).
It is just of intrest to me if there were any intentions to encompass Edgar Street Ground in the ESG, and if talks had taken place between relavent parties
RACH01 says...
5:19pm Thu 5 Apr 12
As stated in a letter today in the Hereford Times today, this council is about vanity.
I am a tory but at this moment in time, the council is speaking for themselves and not those who have voted them in.
I would like to throw one question in to the arena, and that is what plans had the developers got in mind for Edgar Street Athletic Ground in the master plan. Obviously Stanhope would not want a massive new development with out addressing the issue of an ageing football ground smack bang in the middle.
Or does Mrs Chave 's bequeathal of ground to the city actually have a bearing in this issue