ESCC meets in secret to agree more money for Bexhill Hastings Link Road

A press release issued by the Combe Haven Defenders claims that East Sussex County Council (ESCC) has agreed to increase its spending on the Bexhill Hastings Link Road (BHLR) at a meeting at which the public was excluded and the minutes withheld [see reports below]. 

“At a time when the council is proposing over £70m of spending cuts, this meeting was closed to the public whilst this item was discussed. Minutes of council meetings are published on ESCC’s website: under this item, the record states: ‘The full decisions are set out in a confidential minute’.

“The total cost of the Bexhill Hastings Link Road and ESCC’s contribution to it, has changed frequently over the years. From looking at the BHLR Application for Full Approval, it would appear that ESCC has agreed a further £6m for the road.”

Combe Haven Defenders’ spokesperson, Andrea Needham, said: “Council leader, Peter Jones, has frequently accused opponents of the link road of not respecting the democratic process.  We would like to know how increasing the funding for the road in a meeting from which the public are excluded, and refusing to publish the minutes of that meeting, is part of the democratic process.”

HOT is investigating this matter further and will bring you any updates as soon as we have them.

Combe Haven Defenders : www.combehavendefenders.org.uk

http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/7F8112E1-6058-4CAA-ACBB-6DE5E7633F55/0/bhlr_full_approval_2012.pdf [see bottom of page 4]

http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C499E4DD-EE8B-4CAC-AFC9-A9D3D9B0C9C0/32196/Item5ReportoftheCabinet24July2012.pdf [see page 22]

http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C499E4DD-EE8B-4CAC-AFC9-A9D3D9B0C9C0/32196/Item5ReportoftheCabinet24July2012.pdf  [see items 76 and 77]

http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/7F8112E1-6058-4CAA-ACBB-6DE5E7633F55/0/bhlr_full_approval_2012.pdf

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