ACCORDING to the election literature from the Conservative party, 70 per cent of those surveyed are in favour of knocking down the library and transferring it to the town hall.
Without actual figures this percentage is meaningless.
It can’t be 70 per cent of the electorate because councillors exclude anyone who does not use the internet from taking part in their surveys, so that takes out a large number from the equation.
Everyone I have spoken to is against the removal of the library from its present site, many people pointing out that such a demolition would wreck thousands of pounds worth of paving which has just been installed.
So can we please be told the actual figures comprising the 70 per cent quoted, especially if they are to be used to justify such a drastic move.
M Morley, Headless Cross
I WOULD like to congratulate all those who were elected last Friday to serve our town, in particular those who were standing for the first time. My new councillor in Church Hill is Coun Karen Ashley, and I wish her well in her role.
However, I wonder how she expects to represent the residents of Church Hill if she blocks them from commenting on social media, as happened to me when I politely asked on her Facebook page how sharing a graphic about Keir Starmer would serve the residents of her constituency.
I fully understand the need to block individuals who make abusive or malicious comments, but mine was not.
A follow-up email to her a few weeks ago led to no reply.
How can I be confident in my elected representative, who has promised to be approachable, when she blocks one of her constituents asking a reasonable question?
L Kane, Church Hill
I WOULD like to commend Clive Rickards for his years of service as a Warwickshire County Councillor. Thank you.
I am very pleased and honoured to be elected to represent the Studley division.
This is an exciting time for Studley and the surrounding parishes with a real opportunity to get things done.
Studley village square is an urgent matter.
We are at the very last minute of opportunity for this idea to become reality.
Improvements to the traffic situation on the A435 for the entire stretch from Gorcot Hill, through Mappleborough Green, Studley and Coughton to Alcester is a priority and I intend to bring it back to the top of the agenda at the County Council.
So many people have used our country lanes for recreation over the past year and I want them to be able to continue doing so safely.
Perhaps a network of safe lanes throughout the area?
Properly maintained public rights of way, accessible for all, is something else I will concentrate on.
There are many wonderful community groups doing good things in our villages and they will have my full support, be they in Studley, Aston Cantlow, Great Alne, Coughton, Spernal, Morton Bagot, Sambourne, Oldberrow or Mappleborough Green.
So, Thank you for electing me; I don’t intend to let you down.
J Kerridge
Warwickshire County Councillor for Studley Division
IN your newspaper’s election coverage, you’ve said the turnout was higher than previously, however it needs to be emphasised approximately 60 per cent of the electorate chose not to vote.
The reasons include apathy; not even bothering to apply for and submit a postal vote.
One political party has the slogan ‘For the common good’ and their campaign failed.
No Green candidate came anywhere near winning.
So, now we’ll see what the Conservative controlled borough council will actually do.
We know its leader Councillor Matt Dormer wants to demolish our town’s library, and he doesn’t support the idea of acquiring land north of the Abbey Cemetery for its extension.
Central Ward Voter
I FEEL I must make public the wonderful service that Redditch library has given me.
Being unable to browse for books to borrow since the pandemic, when I asked the lady at the desk she suggested I give her a list of my favourite authors and they would let me know when they had them ready.
Not only did they find books for me and checked I had not borrowed them before they phoned and told me they were ready to collect – a dozen of well chosen books tied in an easy to carry bundle.
I am 82 – how great this has been for me, what wonderful service. Thank you so much, and I am so sorry to hear you may be moving to the council offices. Whatever for?
You’re perfect where you are.
G Pallett, Redditch
EVERY week I open the Redditch Standard to read letters about the proposed cemetery.
There have been over 700 objections to the plans which, post local elections, suggests that 84,000 people in Redditch district are either happy with the plans or don’t care.
M Jones,Southcrest.
THIS June Animal Aid will once again be hosting our Summer Vegan Pledge.
The Summer Vegan Pledge is the perfect opportunity for those who are interested in trying a plant-based diet to do so.
The production of animal products, such as meat and dairy, is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water pollution, land use and fresh water.
Those who sign up to the Summer Vegan Pledge will have access to all of the information they need to go vegan.
Sign up for free at: animalaid.org.uk/SVP21
T Bradbury, Animal Aid
