Independent led council block vital information reaching the public

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 24th Jun 2008

The independent group on Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council have controversially voted against plans to provide the general public with timely and clear information about the delayed Town Centre works.

Amy Kitcher, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Merthyr Tydfil and Town Ward Councillor proposed the motion to council. She said, "I am shocked that the independent group have shown such disregard for the people of Merthyr.

"We all know there have been problems with the works, but some of us think that residents and traders are entitled to know when the works are likely to be finished.

"If the council has information about the completion date then it should be shared with the rest of us. It's about time the public had some answers."

In Full Council meeting of 25th June, Council Leader Jeff Edwards and his independent group voted against the motion, which called for the council to publish regular updates of the expected completion date and display the information on the fencing around the works.

Kevin O'Connor, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, added, "The Town Centre works have damaged the council's credibility.

"We wanted to restore people's confidence by providing them with clear information about when they can expect the works to be finished. This is not too much to ask.

"We are very disappointed that the Leader of the Council thinks that the current information being provided is adequate."

Ends

Notes:

The motion was defeated by 17 votes to 14. The lead independent group and the Merthyr Independent group voted against, with the Liberal Democrat group, Labour group and the one unaffiliated councillor voting in favour.

The full text of the motion is as follows:

This council notes with concern the delays in the ongoing High Street Public Realm Improvements.

This council believes that there has been inadequate communication from the council with members of the public regarding these delays.

This council believes that, whilst these delays can be attributed in part to unforeseen complications, when significant delays in works occur, the public have a right to clear and timely explanations.

Therefore, this council calls on the appropriate officer to:

a. produce, at a two weekly interval, updates on any revisions to the most recent timetable of works

b. publish this update on the Merthyr Tydfil CBC website with a clear link displayed on the homepage

c. make this update available to local media

d. display clear signage on the curtailedge of the works, detailing the causes of any delays and the latest revised timetable