What I cannot understand is why on earth the council can't start by talking to local people about what they are looking at. Over the last few months we've seen various groups really getting upset about the high-handed attitude of the council, there's Brent Lea, Osterley and Wyke Green the people at Gresham Road, and us here in Isleworth. All of whom have seen previously publicly accessible green areas under threat for one reason or another. It seems to me the sensible path to follow would be to START by councillors holding a local meeting with local residents and explaining the why's and wherefores and at least trying to find a way through that might lead to some sort of compromise? Instead you get this 'we've decided - you can sod-off' response and a cover up of who knew what, where and when local people understandably start asking questions about exactly what has gone on prior to them finally finding out. It doesn't make any sense and if there is a feeling of suspicion and unease then the councillors only have themselves to blame.At a meeting to discuss the arrangements for the Rugby World Cup last week, the Leader of the council came up to speak to me, I was so furious because hitherto his response to any representations to him and his local colleagues has been met with a 'I've decided so what?' response. He had the nerve to say why not make an appointment to see him?!! This after not wanting to 'engage' with any of us around here and making it clear he was finding it all a bit of a bore. I'm afraid I wasn't very receptive to put it mildly, what's the point in going to see someone and wasting time when they've spent months backing the lies and obfuscation of their colleagues and officers?Frankly this is a p*sspoor way to try and get local people on side, it's also stupid and short-sighted, these are not superhuman beings, they are ordinary people WE elected to represent us, and a damned awful job they're doing on this issue. Our small green spaces are important, yes, there are demands on the local authority especially for school places and other purposes, but acting like some swaggering bully and batting local concerns aside is not the way forward, and if councillors cannot understand that then what the hell did they stand for election for?
Vanessa Smith ● 3736d