LIB DEMS CALL SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING ON DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PLAN

Liberal Democrat councillors have requisitioned the Mayor of Cambridge for an emergency meeting of the City Council to discuss the government’s proposal to establish a Greater Cambridge Development Corporation. The Mayor has announced this morning that it will be held on 19th March, a fortnight before the government’s consultation closes.

Cllr Tim Bick, opposition Liberal Democrat leader at Cambridge City Council said:

“We have requisitioned this meeting, as we are entitled to do, because of the gravity of what is being proposed. It is important that Labour councillors hear the views from others across the council about the removal of our local planning powers, which will leave our area with less control of its future than any other part of the country. The positive things the government is bringing to the table with its development corporation and the token local representation on its technocratic committees must not be used to justify snatching from the local councils their democratic planning powers which work to shape necessary development with the grain of our area. This will disempower local government which has played a responsible and constructive role with pressures for growth over the years.

"This special meeting is the opportunity to ensure that Labour council leaders take this message back to their government, which is serving this area so badly with this proposal. This argument for a U-turn needs to be made loud and clear, with no concession for party loyalty”