Dear Editor

Two recent decisions highlight the anti-democratic nature of the county’s cabinet system (Western Telegraph December 2nd) .

In imposing car parking charges, the cabinet ignored county-wide opposition from all sectors of the community, including local members.

If all councillors had been permitted to decide this issue, the outcome might have been very different.

Back bench members were also excluded from participating in the important decision to take an equity stake in the newly-restructured Bluestone company. They were only able to observe the cabinet meeting.

It makes a mockery of councillors’ duty to scrutinise and ensure that taxpayers get best value for their hard earned contribution to the council’s coffers.

By going in to secret session, the public are kept in the dark about reasons for the decision.

Council minutes give no details of the debate. So much for transparency.

Vivien Stoddart
Truly independent county councillor — Hubberston Ward Court Farm
Liddeston
Milford Haven.