Thanks to everyone who signed the petition

I went to the council meeting yesterday having previously submitted a deputation calling for openness, greater transparency and improved accountability from our council. 

I was permitted four minutes in which to speak. During that time the Chair of the meeting spoke down to me trying to tell me how I should use the four minutes I'd been granted, and one of the Councillors shouted at me when I posed a perfectly reasonable question - asked purely to try and get everyone on the same page, so to speak. 

The deputation wasn't considered or responded to in the meeting - but rather a series of deflecting responses were offered, bearing little or no relation to the deputation. I get no right of reply - so the meeting rumbles on and the decision to appoint a new tenant at below market rate rent for up to fifteen years - we are not told who - is  approved.

I found the experience unnecessarily hostile and upsetting. I'm just a resident in the borough - trying to encourage more open dialogue with our council. I'm sorry we weren't listened to and I'll keep trying. Thanks to everyone who signed the petition - it means a lot.

Doug