Dear everyone

Thank you for your continuing support and for writing to the council's Monitoring Officer if you have already done so.

Mr Baker has responded to one resident’s concerns about the decision-making process supporting the Direction of Travel and possible designation of the Borough as an Opportunity Area, saying that she should write not to him but to her councillors because he is "merely an officer" of the council.

This is clearly not the case.

The role of the Monitoring Officer is critical for proper scrutiny of decision making at the council and it is important that Mr Baker understands and responds to any concerns you have.

So please write to Mr Baker and follow up any similar replies:

quentin.baker@kingston.gov.uk

Here is the description of the role of the Monitoring Officer as approved in April 2018 by the Council:

“A local authority is legally required to designate certain statutory officer posts, among which is the role of Monitoring Officer under the provisions of Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. The primary roles of the Monitoring Officer are to ensure lawfulness and fairness of decision making…”

Please take a minute to write to Mr Baker and let him know of your concerns.

Kind regards and many thanks again for your support

Caroline