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Councillor John Boyce, Leader of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council today launched the Council’s ambitious public Eco Town consultation.
"From the outset I have condemned the secrecy surrounding the entire Eco Town process which has pushed local views to the fringe. I pledged then as Leader of the Council that all residents and businesses in our Borough would have their say based on the facts. That time starts now."
He went on, "This Council will represent the residents and businesses of the borough and to do this we will be carrying out genuine borough-wide local community consultation within the timescale set by the Government of 30th June."
Every home and business address in Oadby and Wigston will receive a leaflet through the post from the Council within the next 10 days that will contain information from the Government and the Co-op and, most importantly, a Reply Page for residents and businesses to ask questions of the Co-op and the Government. These leaflets will also be available in Council Offices and community facilities to ensure as wide coverage as possible.
A second Reply Page will also be included to be sent back in June where residents and businesses, once they have had their questions answered, can say if they support the proposal or not.
"In May we will gather the questions that local residents and businesses want answers to. In June we will get those answers, where they exist and publicise them as widely as we can. Everybody will then be able to hopefully take a view on the Eco Town. The Council will then formally and publicly write and lobby both the Government and Co-op on that basis. This will ensure our view will be based on the most up to date evidence available."
John Boyce says, "We want to give our whole community the opportunity to give informed views whether they are for or against the proposal and be involved in this process either through returning the information slips or at the public meetings to be held on 20th May and 18th June. This is the biggest single issue to potentially affect this Borough, I genuinely urge all residents and businesses to get involved and let us know what their questions are and what information they need".
Councillor John Boyce goes on to say, "This is only the start of a process. There will be further opportunity to comment on the proposal. It is important we give the residents and businesses as much support as possible. Unfortunately, the Government is not helping and it is left to the Borough Council to provide this support."
(Details of the meeting will be on the Council’s website www.oadby-wigston.gov.uk, advertised in the Leicester Mercury and on posters throughout the Borough)
NOTE TO EDITORS:
1. Information leaflet to be distributed to all households and businesses in Oadby and Wigston within the next 10 days to give facts and seek questions and views.
2. Public Meeting at Parklands Leisure Centre, Washbrook Lane, Oadby on 20th May 2008 to gather public questions.
3. Second Public Meeting on 18th June 2008 to report back answers and get views.
4. Final analysis and Council resolution to be submitted to DCLG before end of Government consultation on 30th June 2008.
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