I WISH to draw attention to an item in your June 7 issue that concerns me, regarding democracy and accountability or the lack of it, being practised by leading councillors on Wyre Forest District Council.

On Page 11, the report on the overview and scrutiny committee review of the planning application to build on the Kidderminster College site in Hoo Road reads that the chairman did not permit the residents and wildlife trust witness the opportunity to present their case in response to the 12-page report that councillors would have already read.

An arbitrary five minutes to respond to the many issues raised seems to be riding rough shod over those directly affected by those who are supposed to listen.

Similarly, in a report on the last development control sub-committee meeting, the same chairman chose to ignore a detailed report by the council's chief planning officer critical to the proposals being considered on the extremely important development of the remaining phases of KTC1, critical to the prosperity of the town centre for the next 10-20 years.

Why were the other councillors on the committee deprived of debating the report and advice of their own professional officer and only allowed to consider the opinion of the chairman who is not a qualified planner?

Richard Taylor MP has pledged himself to fairness, openness and democracy. Perhaps he should start by sorting out his own supporters on the council.

L WRIGHT

Lobelia Close, Kidderminster