Town council complains to Whitehall about MacGregor
Thursday, 28th March 2013.
Town councillors from both sides of the political divide joined forces to lambast Cllr Guy MacGregor from Suffolk County Council for his recent appearance at a public meeting in the town.
They are sending a copy of their complaint about him and the county council to Whitehall.
Cllr MacGregor was a guest speaker at the Safer neighbourhood Team public forum a fortnight ago, but failed to justify his unilateral decision as portfolio holder for transport to block Haverhill High Street pedestrianiosation plans.
He walked out of the meeting before residents had the chance to put many of their questions and challenges to him, and dismissed those he did hear.
Haverhill Town Council on Tuesday night saw members united in heaping their criticism on Cllr MacGregor.
"I can't put into words how cross I am about Cllr MacGregor's unwillingness to listen," said Cllr Cilve Turner (Con).
Cllr Bryan Hawes (Ind) said he had rarely come across anyone as condescending as Cllr Macgregor. "His attitude was just unbelievable," he said.
Cllr Maureen Byrne (Lab) defended the meeting chairman Haverhill Conservative county councillor Tim Marks and said he had been unfairly criticised, having been put in such a difficult position by Cllr MacGregor's behaviour.
"We have three elected county councillors in this town," she said. "One of the others sat there and said nothing at all in support of residents and the other one didn't turn up.
"They did not represent the town and if they are in fear of upsetting MacGregor they should do something about it. Our residents deserve better."
Members were asked whether they supported the county council's plans to make Camps Road one-way out of town for the short stretch beside the market square.
They agreed to support it but only with a proper traffic assessment and prominent signage.
Town mayor Cllr Pat Hanlon said he was concerned at the possible effect causing a problem in Mill Road and Chauntry Road as drivers tried to get out of the one-way system.
They also agreed to write again to Suffolk County Council complaining about their refusal to listen to residents' views and asking how it squared with their localism agenda.
A copy of the letter will be sent to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles.
They are sending a copy of their complaint about him and the county council to Whitehall.
Cllr MacGregor was a guest speaker at the Safer neighbourhood Team public forum a fortnight ago, but failed to justify his unilateral decision as portfolio holder for transport to block Haverhill High Street pedestrianiosation plans.
He walked out of the meeting before residents had the chance to put many of their questions and challenges to him, and dismissed those he did hear.
Haverhill Town Council on Tuesday night saw members united in heaping their criticism on Cllr MacGregor.
"I can't put into words how cross I am about Cllr MacGregor's unwillingness to listen," said Cllr Cilve Turner (Con).
Cllr Bryan Hawes (Ind) said he had rarely come across anyone as condescending as Cllr Macgregor. "His attitude was just unbelievable," he said.
Cllr Maureen Byrne (Lab) defended the meeting chairman Haverhill Conservative county councillor Tim Marks and said he had been unfairly criticised, having been put in such a difficult position by Cllr MacGregor's behaviour.
"We have three elected county councillors in this town," she said. "One of the others sat there and said nothing at all in support of residents and the other one didn't turn up.
"They did not represent the town and if they are in fear of upsetting MacGregor they should do something about it. Our residents deserve better."
Members were asked whether they supported the county council's plans to make Camps Road one-way out of town for the short stretch beside the market square.
They agreed to support it but only with a proper traffic assessment and prominent signage.
Town mayor Cllr Pat Hanlon said he was concerned at the possible effect causing a problem in Mill Road and Chauntry Road as drivers tried to get out of the one-way system.
They also agreed to write again to Suffolk County Council complaining about their refusal to listen to residents' views and asking how it squared with their localism agenda.
A copy of the letter will be sent to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles.
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