Ed Bassford - Albion legend - Lewes Meeting

[Dick Knights Mumm]

87% now

 

[Barnet Seagull]

So what's the gist?

 

[Northstander]

 

[Basil Fawlty]

Top work Ed! absolutely brillant.

 

[cardboard]

Cracking

 

[The Large One]

Are you gonna be on telly and everything, Ed?

 

[Curious Orange]

Good work Lord B.

I take it the questions put forward by individuals had them squirming uncomfortably too?

 

[eastlondonseagull]

Perfectly worded Lord B

 

[ShorehamGull]

Well Done Ed mate,

 

[The Large One]

Admit it - you weren't THAT astonished. You KNOW what a bunch of wankers they are.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Are you gonna be on telly and everything, Ed?

Looks like it ... although I might miss it.

I have to go to another meeting in Lewes tonight, about Parish Planning.

I may bump into Councillor Melanie Cutress.

 

[The Large One]

Looks like it ... although I might miss it.

I have to go to another meeting in Lewes tonight, about Parish Planning.

I may bump into Councillor Melanie Cutress.

Tell her her buns are mank.

 

[Cian]

What time, and what Meridian sub-region for Brighton?

 

[Lammy]

90%

 

[Norman Baker suck my lozenge]

Looks like it ... although I might miss it.

I have to go to another meeting in Lewes tonight, about Parish Planning.

I may bump into Councillor Melanie Cutress.

Tell her from me that her floury baps lack texture.

 

[eastlondonseagull]

It's 90% 'NO' on the poll now

 

[ShorehamGull]

Looks like it ... although I might miss it.

I have to go to another meeting in Lewes tonight, about Parish Planning.

I may bump into Councillor Melanie Cutress.

Tell her ShorehamGull is thinking of her

 

[Faldo]

*astonished*

 

[Zeitgeist]

That meeting was about as Democratic as Chillean junta in the 70's! A stitch up from start to finish. At one stage this morning they were even considering baning members of the public! Neil Commin (sp?) took all the flack for the so called leader of the council. She refused to answer the questions that were directed directly to her. A point of order from a pro Falmer councilor was refused, parts of questions were dodged and there were persistant interuptions from the chair when pro Falmer speakers were in full flow. I'll leave the clever stuff to LB but one interesting point was when Commin was pressed by Tim Carder regarding the caping of expenses and would he resign if he'd got his sums wrong. After a few seconds of squirming he said he WOULD resign should that be the case. My hunch (and that's all it is) they will take it to the wire regarding the limit of expences then chuck in the towel. That way, they save face and can say to the Falmer residents "we tried our best". Commin said he would resign because deep down he knows it's a lost cause and the heat would really be on should the costs go through the roof. No way would a councillor risk his skin and generous expenses for a hopeless cause that has no long term political milage. (Would he?)


Most laughable speach was from a Falmer resident who's "heard a rumour" that a supermarket is interested in developing alongside the stadium! Just to add insult, I had to fork out £2 at an LDC car park next to the dripping pan!

 

[London Irish]

I don't do gist.

You'll get word for word:-



Thank you, Chair.

I find myself standing here this afternoon in a state of astonishment.

I’m here to present a petition to the Council, objecting in the strongest possible terms, to this Council committing any further expenditure in pursuit of a challenge to the Government’s decision to grant planning permission for the community stadium in Brighton.

This petition will, I am sure, come as no surprise to members of the Council. You have all received many letters and e-mails since the Cabinet Committee took its decision, thirteen days ago, to go to the High Court and start proceedings against the First Secretary of State.

So, members of the Council, you may not be particularly astonished.

But I am.

The first thing that astonishes me is that, with little over one week to rally support among residents of the district, we have managed to collect 5,165 signatures. From Lewes residents.

5,165. That is more people than signed the petition organised by Norman Baker and Lewes Liberal Democrats against the incinerator plans for Newhaven.

That in itself is an astounding fact.

But even more astonishing is that, if it hadn’t have been for the people of the district, this highly contentious decision of the Cabinet would not have found its way on to the Agenda of this Council meeting.

Because of the timescale set out in the Town and Country Planning Act, the question of a High Court challenge is deemed to be such an urgent matter that it has to be pushed quickly through the Cabinet Committee, meeting in secret, with no opportunity for members of the Council to ask questions in public, to canvass the views of the people they represent or even respond properly to correspondence received. Let alone debate the decision.

As I say, astonishing. And all the more so, if we believe the stories that are flying around about Councillors being instructed not to question the decision or respond direct to questions from electors.

This decision should be debated. Firstly, because of the risks that the Council is taking.

When, last year, Solihull Council considered challenging John Prescott in the High Court over a planning decision, their Cabinet decided not to do so, on the grounds that it would be irresponsible to commit the £50,000 necessary to fund the initial stages of a challenge and risk “significantly more” money in the event of losing the case. Irresponsible. And they are a Council with an annual budget of £229 million.

But, we are told, Lewes is only risking £25,000. You must know some very cheap lawyers. Or perhaps you are relying on other people to pay most of the costs? According to Falmer Parish Council’s website, the estimated costs, at this stage, are £60,000. Contributions (of £5,000 each) have apparently been promised by the South Downs Society (that’s the Downsmen) and the South Downs Joint Committee (the organisation that used to be the Conservation Board). And Falmer have offered to split the remaining £50,000 with the District Council - £25,000 each.

Today we now hear from Councillor Commin that the costs may be £65,000, with Falmer apparently promising £30,000.

But, last week, Falmer Parish Council admitted on their website that they don’t have £25,000, let alone £30,000. They have £15,000.

So what is the risk to the Council? More than members have been told, that’s for sure.

That is why the people of Lewes District are right to be angry. If this case is lost – and who believes that the Government won’t contest it vigorously? And expensively? – the costs could rise significantly. And we are genuinely fearful for our public services.

And if the Council is hanging its case on the expectation that a High Court judge will find that planning law somehow prevents any development in protected countryside, the case will be lost.

Only three weeks ago, a House of Lords Committee decided that there was no basis to allow an appeal against the decision of the High Court, confirmed by the Appeal Court, that it was perfectly legal for a planning authority to permit major development in a National Park, notwithstanding its protected status, where it was held that the development brought significant economic and regeneration benefits to a deprived local economy. Exactly the circumstances that John Prescott has found to apply in the Falmer Stadium case.

If that is this Council’s case, you will lose it.

The Cabinet Committee’s decision to commit funds to this adventure is taking a reckless risk – of unknown quantity – with Council Tax Payers’ money.

5,165 residents of Lewes District have signed this petition. Please listen to us. And please think again.

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