At this year's Mipim taking place next week, a grand total of 6 members of Ealing Borough will be attending, namely:Julian Bell - Leader of the CouncilPhilippa Cartwright - Regeneration Project ManagerPat Hayes - Executive Director of Regeneration and HousingNoel Rutherford - Director of Built EnvironmentWendy Stokes - Development Project ManagerLucy Taylor - Assistant Director of Regeneration and Planning PolicyTo give an idea of the cost:- registration cost per person: €1,775 x 6- cost of exhibitor stand (Ealing Borough is an exhibitor): depends on stand size but say around €15,000- accommodation: given sky-high hotel prices during Mipim, at least €500 per person per night for 4 night- food and beverage: say €100 per person per day- transport: say €500 per person given the high flight prices during MipimTotal estimated cost: around €43,000I don't know who pays for this but whether it is paid for by our cash strapped borough, or it is paid by Benson Elliot (the developers who just got approval from Ealing Council last week to build an ugly 18-storey skyscraper which will overshadow Haven Green and provide 1- to 2-bedroom luxury flats that no local Ealing residents want to see), I find this truly and utterly disgusting.I do not know a single Ealing resident in favour of the wheelie bins, or of the ugly residential skyscrapers popping up all over the borough which are approved by our council which is full of best buddies with big property developers. I do not know a single Ealing resident who thinks it is fair that Julian Bell, who gets £100,000+ salary p.a. from the public purse is entitled to receiving council housing even though he owns a £1M+ home in the borough. Our local council is undemocratic, does not care about the wishes of its residents and does not seem to have any moral standards. Shame on us for electing these people and not throwing them out of office.
Michael Charlton ● 3677d