Sorry to report it was a disappointing HEWEB Local Committee meeting.  We’ll
link to the council youtube and minutes once published but in summary it was not informative or constructive. 

We were determinedly polite and respectful, trying in our permitted three 3-minute speaking slots to ask pertinent questions and develop some clarity, as is our democratic right. However it soon became clear that rather than engaging objectively on the evidence the council were intent on implying Russells have had it good and should shut up and be grateful.  

Whether the council has helped Russells in the past (we can evidence their help has been lacklustre at best) is not relevant to an objective assessment of the council’s actions over the last 4 months and it’s disappointing the council resorted to such weaponising of gratitude to attempt to shut down debate and suppress any critical questioning.  

We raised many questions at the meeting and are open to hearing the council’s responses to these specific points and any further information from the council relevant to this matter.  If this is forthcoming we will keep you all posted.