Push Me Pull You

So this is what we've got as a LibDem Member of Parliament:  Mike Six Taps Thornton - a man whose solution to save our open spaces is to build on them.

As I said several posts ago, a vote for UKIP would let in the LibDem; and that's exactly what has happened.

We need to remember that the LibDem Eastleigh Borough Council has debts of £100m and only £12m revenue.

It should also be remembered that the Eastleigh Borough Council has facilitated the concreting over of Eastleigh Recreation Ground and that Councillor Mike Six Taps Thornton MP was one of those who refused to discuss at a full council meeting a motion proposed  by Councillor Judith Grajewski to protect the Rec in perpetuity.  It was, instead, referred to the Local Area Committee.

Councillor Grajewski’s motion read as follows:

“This Council resolves to retain all of the remaining land (as at 18th October 2012) known as the Leigh Road Recreation Ground for the amenity and recreational use of the residents of Eastleigh and visitors to the Borough. This Council will resist all moves to develop any of the land for residential, commercial or other purposes deemed not to be recreational and in keeping with the present character of the facility”

Surprise Surprise!

After a discussion, however,  Cllr Mo Sollitt announced she wished to propose an amendment – this was met with groans and mock surprised “ahhs!” from the public gallery.

Although Mo Sollitt’s amendment contained the words “Leigh Road Recreation Ground” it appeared everything else in the original motion had been changed .

Cllr Sollitt’s amendment:

“This committee considers that Leigh Road Recreation ground brings significant recreational, economic and amenity benefits to the town and should therefore be given the maximum possible protection from hostile planning applications and asks that the head of Regeneration and Planning Policy considers how the protection given by the emerging local plan can be strengthened.”

This was then unanimously passed by the 100% complement of LibDem councillors.

Members of the public present at that meeting immediately cottoned to the wording hostile planning applications, as the Sainsbury's bid was far from hostile.  Any bid, therefore, that was approved by the LAC would be approved - so by this sleight of hand they have opened up the Rec to development.

Some years ago the town was referred to as Beastly Eastleigh.  It'll soon be appropriate again.