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The leader of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council accuses the government of making the eco-town process up as it goes along. Councillor John Boyce stated, "Understanding the process has not been easy. The government appears to be making it up as they go along."
The government announced the shortlist of eco-towns in April with the outline of a process. All the local authorities involved have attended numerous meetings with the government in an attempt to understand this process. After a series of attempts at clarity from the Government the future is still unclear. This is why the Borough Council decided to follow its own instincts to give local people their say.
The Leader of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council led an informed consultation meeting with almost 250 concerned residents at Parklands Leisure Centre, Oadby last night (20th May 2008)
Taking a wide range of challenging questions from the audience Councillor Boyce outlined the process, the tight timescale and the key issues surrounding the controversial Pennbury eco town development, whilst picking up the genuine concerns of individual residents and groups included Cascet.
At one of the largest meetings held on the eco town proposal Councillor Boyce said, "Tonight was extremely useful particularly as it drew out more issues that affect our community, most notably on health and education whilst reinforcing our concerns on transport, housing and the environment. From the outset I promised that everyone in Oadby and Wigston would get the chance to have their say this was part of that process."
The overriding impression of a constructive event was that the Co-op had to provide more information. The Council hope this will be forthcoming at the next series of public events run by Oadby and Wigston Borough Council on the 18th June 2008.
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