Letter to the Press - When is a decision is not a decision?

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 20th Aug 2008

Councillor Louise Lotz

Sir

Regarding the felling of the trees at Stanborough Lakes, the public was told that a decision had been made to fell the trees.

A statement by Councillor Clare Berry appeared on the council's website at 9.53 am on July 22. It included information that a decision had been made to fell the 700-odd poplars in Stanborough Lakes car parks.

"...the council, in partnership with Finesse Leisure Partnership, who manage the site, on the council's behalf, has decided to remove the trees".

I attended a shambolic 'consultation' at Stanborough Lakes car park last Thursday evening, where the public was again told that a decision had been made to fell the trees.

It appears that the author of the 'independent' report on which the decision was based was connected with a company which is tendering for the forty thousand pound contract for felling the trees.

Councillor Skottowe promised to investigate and to call in the decision, and/or to ask for scrutiny, as relevant.

Before the week was done, an e-mail from the group hastily set up by Dr Dennis Lewis indicated that in fact no decision had been made and ward councillors would be consulted and the decision would be made at a later date.

In the mean time the trees will evidently not be felled. Councillor Berry's statement has been hastily removed from the website.

This leaves me asking when a decision is not a decision. Or is this a case of a Humpty Dumpty world where decisions can mean whatever the council chooses.

Councillor Louise Lotz

Member of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee