Topic: | Re: Labours recent leaflet again... | |
Posted by: | Steve Taylor | |
Date/Time: | 24/09/13 21:56:00 |
I received the Labour leaflet on Sunday and must admit I am quite disappointed that this 'special enquiry' led by Labour Councillors has been organised without any prior consultation with the Mogden Residents Action Group (MRAG). Is it a public enquiry or closed door? My understanding is that Hounslow Environmental Officers will be questioned together with Thames Water on why the site still causes unlawful nuisance despite the promises that it wouldn't do so after the expansion of the site. By implication the officers will be trying to defend the actions of Thames Water or....? Do any of the interrogating Councillors actually know what questions to ask or will they be blinded by glossy presentations yet again? In the leaflet Sue Sampson is quoted as saying "Residents achieved a landmark victory over Thames Water last year in the High Court but despite this the stench continues" (By the way it was 2011 not last year as Sue Sampson suggests) I am quite surprised at this belated accolade as she has never before shown any interest in the Mogden Residents Action Group but, does she not realise that this 'landmark victory" achieved by MRAG for the residents of Hounslow and Richmond was delivered only because the Council refused to take residents seriously and hence Thames Water was left to run the site as it will. MRAG were able to convince the High Court Judge to find Thames guilty on 18 counts of negligence and mismanagement. However, despite this final acknowledgement that it was MRAG'S victory based on its committee members' professional expertise and knowledge of the site, and appearing for 3 weeks in the High Court of Justice, the Labour Group did not think of involving MRAG or practice a little of the Community Engagement Policy it alleges to subscribe to. |