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Madam, For those people who haven't visited Ripley Town Hall to see their elected representatives in action, it is an experience I can recommend.
At the recent planning meeting where the 'Supplementary Planning Document' relating to the future of the land 'between the A6 and the River Derwent', was to be discussed, (the majority of which is owned by Tesco) I was pleased to see about 50 people from Belper had made the effort to attend.
Unfortunately this commitment was not matched by our Councillors, who were conspicuous by their absence.
Of the 15 people who make up the Planning Committee only 5 managed to attend, obviously having more important things to do.
Cllr Jim Anderson however was in attendance as Chair Person of the Committee and opened the meeting with a message that appeared to baffle the assembled audience.
He stated that he didn't like seeing the council threatened and officers criticised and then went on to instruct those members of the public who intended using the three minutes which had graciously been granted to those who wanted to contribute to the debate, that they would not be able to use the words, 'Tesco', 'Superstore', 'Supermarket' or refer to any of the surveys about the use of the land which had previously been carried out.
He then went on to use his position to effectively barrack speakers who he thought overstepped this ridiculous constraint.
As someone who is not a member of any of the pro or anti Tesco groups which have been formed in Belper, I would urge other residents to get involved.
Whatever your viewpoint, it is clear that our elected representatives have no intention of taking a lead, as is their responsibility and Amber Valley Council seem to have another agenda which doesn't include doing the best by our town.
Simon Mallett
Lowlands Road,
Belper
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Weather for Belper
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
