FORCED by Government to modernise decision making, Bromsgrove District Council has started a pilot scheme with an executive cabinet made up of five district councillors of the majority party.

At a recent explanatory meeting at Park Hall in Wythall, chaired by District Secretary Bob Lewis, Wythall Parish Councillor Frank Rottenbury asked why Wythall, with the second largest population in the district, was excluded from this inner cabinet.

This question was answered by District Councillor Jean Luck from Beoley (a member of the cabinet herself), who said the decision had been made to have only councillors with many years' experience.

Such a criterion would probably exclude many MPs from Government.

To make matters worse, Mr Lewis confirmed to District Councillor Geoff Denaro (Wythall Ratepayer member) that if he had any objections or complaints on executive decisions, he must put them in writing to the cabinet.

This gives our local council members no more rights than the general public.

Previously, matters could be raised on the relevant committees.

So much for improving democracy!

Has Oliver Cromwell returned to Bromsgrove?

MP Cheal

Chairman

Wythall Ratepayers' and Residents' Association