NoMoInNoHo BBC Look East West 8 June

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• published: 09 Jun 2016
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St James Residents’ Association News Release For immediate use 09/06/16 The St James Residents’ Association welcomes the NBC cabinet decision to withdraw the Westbridge depot land transfer item from the agenda of Wednesday’s meeting. It is the only realistic option that the cabinet could have taken given the circumstances, and the strength of public feeling. The SJRA, thought it prudent to write to cabinet to express its concerns before the meeting, and in the end common sense and respect won the day. The issue now moves to the forum of the County Council on Thursday 16th June where a motion is tabled seeking further recognition of the residents views and we urge residents to get involved and register speak or write to your councillor, to register your views on the Waste to Energy proposal. It is disappointing however that Brian Binley sees fit to insult the intelligence of not just residents, but councillors too, in equal measure. Such comments of being bullied by activists and referring to councillors as luddites demeans his previous public standing, and is not helpful to the debate, but will instead just fan the flames of opposition to this scheme. SJRA Chair, Graham Croucher said; “ It seems some people in positions of power and influence are still capable of listening and responding to the views of the public, the electorate, and we would like to thank Cllr Markham and the cabinet for giving careful consideration to the concerns of St James Residents’ Association. We believe they have taken the correct decision and is a victory for common sense and respect. It is such a shame that Mr Binley cannot extol the same virtues and deliver, full, meaningful and transparent consultation to the people of St James and Northampton, instead of insulting residents and councillors alike. We would like to clarify that at no stage, has any resident bullied any councillor into making a decision, in fact the SJRA wrote to the council cabinet in a polite, respectful and constructive manner, before the meeting. The residents protesting outside the Guildhall did so in a lawful, peaceful and good humoured fashion. It would seem all Mr Binley has done here is added to the feeling of mistrust from residents. Further, as a representative, previously on the board of the CIC, and in a limited capacity, we advised the developer on how best to consult. It is regrettable that they did not heed all of our advice. We would urge the County councillors to now follow the democratic and pricipled actions of their Borough counterparts, and support the motion being tabled at the next NCC council meeting on Thursday, and give the people a say in their future, to provide a referendum at the appropriate time. Failure to do so would seriously, undermine democracy, and the roles the councillors are elected to perform.” Ends.