Over 200 members of the public crammed themselves into Epping Forest Council Offices last night. So much was the local interest in the Call In of the cabinet decision on Licensing of Mobile Home Parks that offices had to set up Web links in the main hall as the council chamber could not accommodate everyone.
And what a night it turned out to be. I was personally moved by the passion and feeling with which the representatives of each Park Home spoke, each eager to convey the impact that they perceived the proposed revised licence would have on their communities.
I sat listening to each speaker in turn trying to conceal my joy at seeing local democracy at work and feeling just a little proud that I am elected to represent these people.
It was clear to me from the outset that the felling of the committee was very clearly with those expressed in Councillor Webster’s call in. Indeed the committee duly referred the decision back to Cabinet by way of the Housing Scrutiny Panel to rapturous applause from the gallery and massed ranks in the foyer.
It was suggested to me during the progress of the meeting that this decision was open to comment from councillors not on the cabinet from February of this year and that this was a valid reason why the decision should stand.
I have to admit that I am slightly concerned by the attitude of “if it doesn’t get noticed then it is ok”. Never one to shirk a challenge though I shall be doing a lot more reading of all committee papers from now on. And possibly making the odd comment………..
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