TIME FOR BRACKNELL'S PENSIONERS' CHAMPION TO GO

10.17.49am GMT Thu 18th Feb 2010

Cllr Thompson should stand down over 'Look In' closure, says PPC

The 2010/11 budget report approved by the Executive of Bracknell Forest Council in December contained a proposal to close the 'Look-In' cafe in Bracknell town centre. Following a period of public consultation, the Executive will tomorrow make its final recommendation to full Council, which meets on 3 March to approve the budget.

Users of the 'Look-In' have campaigned vigorously against the proposal since it was announced and over 2,500 people have already signed a petition against the closure, which will be presented to the Council at its meeting in March, Over 100 people gathered in the town centre on 13 February to protest against the closure but neither the council's pensioners' champion, Cllr Cliff Thompson, nor any other members of the ruling Conservative group were present.

One of Cllr Thonpson's key tasks is to act as an advocate for the needs of local pensioners and ensure that their views are fully taken into account by the council. There is precious little evidence that Cllr Thompson has succeeded in this task during the ten years that he has held this post and his failure to attend the protest meeting has only confirmed that it is time for him to stand down.

Commenting on Cllr Thompson's absence, Ray Earwicker, Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bracknell, said 'Cllr Thompson should have been present to listen to the views expressed and explain the council's action. There was a growing feeling that community champions existed only to serve the interests of the council and to give the impression it was doing something to address the concerns of residents

Annual reports were required from each of the five community champions that had been appointed (each with an additional special responsibility allowance) but these were rarely debated or even examined in any depth.

In the case of Cllr Thompson, the views of older residents had been consistently rejected or ignored and the closure of the 'Look In' was the last straw. He had been the pensioners' so-called champion for far too long and it was time for him to go.'