Jacob Williams https://jacobwilliams.com

A recent episode, entirely my own fault, caused a minor blush. On the afternoon of November 28th, I was out meeting a number of constituents. At 5pm the same day, the deadline fell for questions to be submitted to the next meeting of County Council, which is on the 13th December.

I had in mind to submit a question to council which was spurred by a very contentious issue in my ward. I did not, as my question makes clear, intend this to be brought to the council as a ward issue; I have serious concerns about the council’s intentions and priorities in general, with regard to prosecutions and enforcement across the county.

The tea was flowing and mince pies were scoffed, and by the time I got home I had only minutes to phrase the question and email it across to County Hall to make the 5pm deadline. It was typed in haste, and admittedly the wording wasn’t perhaps as refined as it would probably have been had I not been in a rush, but it was good enough; and more importantly, it was emailed with just a minute to spare, at 4.59PM.

Unfortunately (for me) the email wasn’t received (not read, but received) until 5.02PM, and as such was too late to be allowed for inclusion at tomorrow week’s meeting. It will be held-over until the following meeting which isn’t until 28th February. I’m sure you’ve noticed that 28th February will be exactly 3 months to the day after I pressed that “SEND” button. What a costly two minutes that email spent in the ether!

In December 2010 in my ward, a Hedgerow Replacement Notice was served by this council for the unauthorised removal of 417 metres of internal hedgerows. It was appealed, and the rigorous Planning Inspectorate appeal process upheld the notice. The date of compliance was March 2012, and no remedial work has yet started. I have been told numerous times that the council intends to prosecute for non-compliance. However I was horrified to recently learn that this is not now recommended as too much time has passed and there is insufficient evidence. I hasten to add that this is definitely not a ward issue being brought to council – this isn’t an isolated case. Either this department is under-resourced, or doesn’t have a strong enough will.

Does the leader agree that, unless the council follows up such issues with rigour, it will continue to be seen by the public as a toothless tiger?