28 February 2007
Clifton-Brown demands regional body meets throughout the South West Region.
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, today wrote to the Chief Executive of the South West Regional Assembly (SWRA), demanding that their meetings take place throughout the region. This letter follows literally years of correspondence, where Mr. Clifton-Brown has stated that holding the Regional Assembly meetings exclusively in Exeter, effectively makes them inaccessible for the Northern end of the region.
Mr Clifton-Brown writes, in the letter to SWRA Chief Executive, Bryony Houlden:
“I am not asking that you hold all meetings in the Cotswolds, or even in Gloucestershire, merely that, as a regional body, you take the trouble to rotate meetings around the region – which would not only be fairer to all the Region’s representatives, but would also showcase different locations.”
The Cotswolds is at the extreme north eastern tip of the South West Region; and it’s northern point, the town of Chipping Campden, is closer to the Scotland than to Land’s End, the extreme point of the South West.
Mr Clifton-Brown also writes:
“Fifty Members of Parliament represent the South Region, of which only sixteen come from Devon and Cornwall. There are 119 Councillors on the SWRA, of which only 29 are from Devon and Cornwall. In the interests of fairness, I am requesting that the South West Regional Assembly meetings are rotated throughout the region; perhaps moving from Truro, Exeter, Dorchester, Trowbridge, Bristol, Taunton and Gloucester…You state that ‘the SWRA recognises the benefit and perspective Members of Parliament bring to their debates; you attendance will be widely welcomed and valued.’ This statement is clearly disingenuous, as you have singularly failed to make these meetings accessible throughout the region.”
Mr Clifton-Brown said:
“I sincerely hope that the SWRA will try to make their meetings accessible for all their members, and the regions MPs. I would like to attend their meetings, but there is clearly no drive at the very top of the organisation to make them accessible. This is a terrific opportunity to showcase our unique region. Exeter is a wonderful town, but I believe these meetings should be held all over the South West, moving from each county capital to the next, and perhaps visiting the other big county towns; Bath, Bristol or Plymouth, for example. I hope that other South Western MPs, and SWRA Members will join with me to pressure the Regional Assembly into holding their meetings throughout our region, so we all get a chance to attend.”
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, today wrote to the Chief Executive of the South West Regional Assembly (SWRA), demanding that their meetings take place throughout the region. This letter follows literally years of correspondence, where Mr. Clifton-Brown has stated that holding the Regional Assembly meetings exclusively in Exeter, effectively makes them inaccessible for the Northern end of the region.
Mr Clifton-Brown writes, in the letter to SWRA Chief Executive, Bryony Houlden:
“I am not asking that you hold all meetings in the Cotswolds, or even in Gloucestershire, merely that, as a regional body, you take the trouble to rotate meetings around the region – which would not only be fairer to all the Region’s representatives, but would also showcase different locations.”
The Cotswolds is at the extreme north eastern tip of the South West Region; and it’s northern point, the town of Chipping Campden, is closer to the Scotland than to Land’s End, the extreme point of the South West.
Mr Clifton-Brown also writes:
“Fifty Members of Parliament represent the South Region, of which only sixteen come from Devon and Cornwall. There are 119 Councillors on the SWRA, of which only 29 are from Devon and Cornwall. In the interests of fairness, I am requesting that the South West Regional Assembly meetings are rotated throughout the region; perhaps moving from Truro, Exeter, Dorchester, Trowbridge, Bristol, Taunton and Gloucester…You state that ‘the SWRA recognises the benefit and perspective Members of Parliament bring to their debates; you attendance will be widely welcomed and valued.’ This statement is clearly disingenuous, as you have singularly failed to make these meetings accessible throughout the region.”
Mr Clifton-Brown said:
“I sincerely hope that the SWRA will try to make their meetings accessible for all their members, and the regions MPs. I would like to attend their meetings, but there is clearly no drive at the very top of the organisation to make them accessible. This is a terrific opportunity to showcase our unique region. Exeter is a wonderful town, but I believe these meetings should be held all over the South West, moving from each county capital to the next, and perhaps visiting the other big county towns; Bath, Bristol or Plymouth, for example. I hope that other South Western MPs, and SWRA Members will join with me to pressure the Regional Assembly into holding their meetings throughout our region, so we all get a chance to attend.”