Illingworth: so good he voted twice
More than 300 residents of Leamington South Town wrote to oppose the granting of a sexual entertainment licence for Shades Gentleman's Club. One wrote in support.
But the Warwick District council Regulatory Committee granted the licence anyway.
Admittedly, it took a casting vote by the chair, George Illingworth, after an initial five-five split.
But given the opposition, given the fact that an identical application had been refused on two previous occasions, what prompted these five councillors to vote in favour of this kind of activity?
Well, only they know for sure. But they do have a couple of things in common.
All five are conservatives.
And none of them live in Leamington.
Now, we can argue the case for a strip club or lap-dancing club or whatever this place is. (And whatever this place is, you might think that it is in no sense a Gentleman's Club!)
And you can also argue the fact that, with all the investment of time and money and effort which is going into South Town, this is the last thing that's wanted or needed.
But my concern is with the way in which non-resident Conservatives are able to dictate the kind of town Leamington should become.
We saw it with the original vote for the Clarendon Arcade, which fortunately and marginally failed to gain a majority.
And my fear is that we shall see it again if and when the next planning application is made, after the consultation process obviously!
I urge you to write, call or otherwise contact these out-of-towners who have such power over us and our town.
The approvers of Shades are, in addition to George Illingworth, Conservative of Kenilworth:
Felicity Bunker, Conservative, Kenilworth;
David Shilton, Conservative, Kenilworth;
Elizabeth Higgins, Conservative, Warwick;
Sue Gallagher, Conservative, Leek Wootton.
In the words of Alan Wilkinson, former mayor of Leamington Spa, who lives in South Town:
"The decision - made by Tory councillors who do not even live in Leamington - totally disrespects the feelings of people living in the area."
Too right.
Today from the everysmith vault: Thanks to James Knight, I now have a copy of the latest Swaps CD. It was worth the wait. It plays again as I type.
But the Warwick District council Regulatory Committee granted the licence anyway.
Admittedly, it took a casting vote by the chair, George Illingworth, after an initial five-five split.
But given the opposition, given the fact that an identical application had been refused on two previous occasions, what prompted these five councillors to vote in favour of this kind of activity?
Well, only they know for sure. But they do have a couple of things in common.
All five are conservatives.
And none of them live in Leamington.
Now, we can argue the case for a strip club or lap-dancing club or whatever this place is. (And whatever this place is, you might think that it is in no sense a Gentleman's Club!)
And you can also argue the fact that, with all the investment of time and money and effort which is going into South Town, this is the last thing that's wanted or needed.
But my concern is with the way in which non-resident Conservatives are able to dictate the kind of town Leamington should become.
We saw it with the original vote for the Clarendon Arcade, which fortunately and marginally failed to gain a majority.
And my fear is that we shall see it again if and when the next planning application is made, after the consultation process obviously!
I urge you to write, call or otherwise contact these out-of-towners who have such power over us and our town.
The approvers of Shades are, in addition to George Illingworth, Conservative of Kenilworth:
Felicity Bunker, Conservative, Kenilworth;
David Shilton, Conservative, Kenilworth;
Elizabeth Higgins, Conservative, Warwick;
Sue Gallagher, Conservative, Leek Wootton.
In the words of Alan Wilkinson, former mayor of Leamington Spa, who lives in South Town:
"The decision - made by Tory councillors who do not even live in Leamington - totally disrespects the feelings of people living in the area."
Too right.
Today from the everysmith vault: Thanks to James Knight, I now have a copy of the latest Swaps CD. It was worth the wait. It plays again as I type.
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