CAMPAIGNERS against Warwick District Council’s controversial HQ plans have called a meeting after bosses vetoed a second public discussion.
Concerned businesses and residents have arranged a public meeting to discuss plans for the council’s planned relocation to new headquarters at Covent Garden car park in Leamington town centre.
The council is set to close the 600 space multi-storey to make way for a new headquarters in Leamington town centre and use its existing Riverside House HQ for housing.
Earlier this year a public meeting, orgainsed by Leamington’s BID and the town’s Chamber of Trade, gave residents the chance to quiz council representatives about the plans.
But many felt not enough time was given to answer all questions, prompting Labour councillor Kristie Naimo to put forward a motion for a second event.
This was voted against by councillors who said there was no need, leaving many residents and businesses frustrated.
Russell Allen, from Aubrey Allen, said: “Residents and the business community alike are unhappy about the lack of consultation and open debate on this critical issue for our town and the lack of opportunity thus far to engage in any sort of discussion with the elected council leadership.
“Elected members were noticeably absent from the only public meeting that has taken place on the subject, at the Spa Centre in June this year.
“At that meeting there was a unanimous call for elected council executive members, as well as council officers, to make themselves available in the same kind of public forum.”
The meeting, to which district councillors and officers have been invited, takes place at Leamington Town Hall on Thursday October 25 at 7pm.
It will be chaired by BBC Coventry and Warwickshire’s Phil Upton.
