‘Don’t pass the buck to the electorate’

0 Comments | Brentwood Gazette, Jul 28, 2010

THE chairman of the Save Brentwood Action Group is cynical of councillors’ attempts to pass the buck when difficult choices have to be made.

Gerry Bender said the council has already swerved one tricky obstacle – when it cut pest control services and the dog warden – by arguing no-one said they wanted them as part of a previous consultation.

Now he wants councillors to be honest and say where they would like the axe to swing.

He said: “It’s liking asking a condemned man if he would rather be shot or hanged? Councillors are elected to protect services.

“I think this is an abrogation of their responsibilities – if difficult decisions need to be made they should first put their own opinions in front of people.

“They have taken the king’shilling and they should be the ones making the decision.

“We also need to ask people if they would be willing to pay a bit more to save some of these services.”

Deputy leader of Brentwood Borough Council Roger Hirst, said: “I’m very keen to hear what residents’ honestly held opinions are. I have a very clear idea of what provisions should be kept but I don’t want to prejudice the consultation with comments of my own.”

John Brandler, owner of Brandler Galleries, in Coptfold Road, Brentwood, has also spoken out against the consultation.

He said: “Wasn’t it Lenin who said that those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything.

“Turkeys don’t vote for Christmas – I’m just concerned that this could be bit of a whitewash.”

“Saying that, the first thing I would cut back on is the town twinning – what benefit does it bring Brentwood?” What service do you think should be the first to go? E-mail editorial@gazettenews.co.uk or call the newsdesk on 01245 603408.