Letters: In his latest column the mayor is both contradictory and inaccurate

Editor,

I read with great interest the latest column from the Mayor of Bedford Borough. I find the comments the Mayor makes to be both a contradiction and inaccurate.

Read: Local Plan in chaos – Inspector calls for fresh start

I do not recall the Mayor ever suggesting the Local Plan 2040 was unsound in its entirety. In fact, and on record, I quote –

“Councillors Coombes, Walker, Wootton and Gallagher spoke against the Local Plan 2040, citing developments proposed in the Wards they represented and the impact of the East West Rail route on their local communities as reason for their opposition.”

I have attached the minutes for your information:

Minutes of the Local Plan January 2023 (.PDF)
Executive Report Agenda 7 local plan (.PDF)

For information, I contest the Executive report, Agenda 7, for this week’s Executive, as it is incomplete and does not present all the facts.

Further, my appraisal of the limited information is that the current Administration have had the opportunity to remedy the situation – this is articulated in the Inspector’s correspondence.

I sight three paragraphs that are an interesting read:

I am not able to locate any correspondence to respond to point 8 below
Point 76, the Inspector is clear, in my view, and I cannot see what contribution the Council made
Point 2. below clearly places the Inspector in a clear position, he “paused” the plan on 13 March 2024 to January 2025, with a further extension to end of May 2025 – it is clear to be seen in the extracts lifted from the agenda item 7. report, attached for ease.

Excerpts from the Executive Report Agenda 7 local plan. Image: Bedford Borough Council — Excerpts from the executive report, agenda 7 ‘local plan’. Image: Bedford Borough Council

Therefore, I conclude, much of the “chaos” the Mayor refers to in his “Monthly Column” is made only by him and his administration (I note it is not your [the Bedford Independent’s] editorial).

It is clear from the attached minutes that the four members who spoke out against the LP2040, in January 2023, only did so, citing the issues around the route of the East West Rail and specific site selections in their Wards, not what he now attempts to peddle.

I hope this sets the record straight.

Cllr Doug McMurdo
Independent/Sharnbrook

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