WARWICK District Council says there is ‘no need’ for another public meeting to discuss plans for its new headquarters.
Earlier this year a event was held by Leamington’s Business Improvement District (BID) and Chamber of Trade where people could question council representatives about the plans.
But concerns were raised there was not enough time to answer questions, and at a recent full council meeting, Coun Kristie Naimo put forward a motion that a second event be held.
It was voted against by councillors, leaving Coun Naimo and members of campaign group Save Leam ‘disappointed’.
Coun Naimo said: “Many residents expressed the view there should be another public meeting. They felt at the last meeting there was insufficient time to cover all the questions they wished to ask.
“Before final decisions are taken they wanted to ask them of responsible executive members and officers.
“I’m disappointed that there was not support for this from the administration to listen to the views of the public on this important and complex issue.”
Her concerns were echoed by the campaign group – which is calling for an ‘open and transparent’ debate.
Group member Adam Cull said: “Councillors continue to fail to recognise these concerns and perform their duty to address them.”
But district council leader Coun Andrew Mobbs says there is no need for a public meeting.
He told the Observer: “We have carried out more consultation regarding the HQ than any other single issue during my 11 years as a councillor. This has included engagement with stakeholders, business organisations and a public event at the Royal Priors. There are ongoing meetings with both BID and the Chamber of Trade.
“I see no need to hold a public meeting but do recognise that we should and are continuing to work with relevant parties with the aim of continuing to strengthen the car parking strategy and would emphasise that I, my colleagues and officers are ready to discuss any queries that anyone has to raise on the project as a whole.”
