The real issue is that we now have councillors with very little interest in representing the needs of residents unless it coincides with party policy. We already saw that in the last four years. It will be impossible for those not toeing the Labour line to get a fair representation in many wards.What’s dangerous is the lack of accountability of those who make decisions on our behalf. The local media has disappeared, leaving a huge void. On this forum Cllr Manro was asked a direct question by me a number of times. He refused to answer, despite the failure of his council to carry out statutory duties having a massive impact on the lives of everyone living here.Next week sees an appeal hearing against the Charity Commission decision to allow Ealing Council to hand over the Town Hall to a boutique hotel developer. The Charity Commission was the names respondent in the appeal, Ealing Council joined as an interested party. The council has no decided to seek leave to be the main respondent, even though the decision being appealed was not made by the council. They will employ a QC. Happy to spend the money where it’s really needed despite those cuts.If the appeal is successful and the hotel doesn’t get built our council will hand over £350,000 of indemnity money to Mastcraft, a deal made without ratification of full council despite it being a public building and public money.But that’s small beer compared to the £400m loan Julian Bell agreed to fund Broadway Living, the council’s development arm. It’s ‘success’ (a relative term) is almost wholly dependent on being able to redevelop Perceval House and Gurnell with large towers. The former is likely to be heading to judicial review and the latter has plenty of obstacles preventing it going ahead.If Broadway Living fails Ealing will be bankrupted.
Simon Hayes ● 720d