Consider my mind boggled.

No doubt the little club would consider an independent inquiry an "indecent inquiry"

Noted and corrected, although an indecent inquiry sounds interesting!

The Newbury and Thatcham Chronicle maintains the 'cover up' by the Town Council by reinforcing negative and deflective comments

Those Officers and Members of Newbury Town Council, and their friends who think that they can avoid answering for their actions really have not given this much thought, for I will continue demand that the public is told the truth about the potential ‘cover up’ surrounding the mismanagement and subsequent four year silence of the misspending of public money.

The local media, which of course one of the Councillors is heavily involved with, appears reticent to actually ask any embarrassing questions, or to uncover the truth for themselves, although they do appear ever so keen to publish inaccuracies, and other comments that are misleading and/or give distorted picture.

When are the residents of Newbury going to be told the truth?

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera
Former Councillor

You should have stayed. Leaving makes your position more questionable.

What is noticeable is a complete lack of contrition from the council over the insurance mistake. While it is true the council might get its money back if they win in court, not having the insurance money cannot help cash-flow. I really think it is time the leader of the council considers his position come the next election round. Speaking as a constituent, I don't think it has been a good term at all.

I think RUP did exactly the right thing in resigning. I can't imagine it would have been pleasant being victimised for blowing the whistle on the council's ineptitude and the subsequent suppression of the facts, and I think the most effective way of protesting about the lack of openness was to resign. There was little more RUP could do once the council closed ranks against him.

This has been an appalling parish term, and the one before was pretty dire too. I think that Julian Swift-Hook and David Allen should reflect on the failures of the parish council, its lack of openness and engagement, and its suppression of criticism and decent, and they should invite an independent investigation into the various allegations of maladministration and victimisation, and as this happened on their watch they should resign.

Dear Forum Members, and other Readers,

The behaviour of some within the Council is no different than that which I have witnessed and experienced elsewhere when someone dares to 'blow the whistle' on inappropriateness.

The sad difference though, is that the current response is from 'our' elected representatives, who frankly should know better.

I could have done little more than I did whilst still a Councillor, for I had been ostracised by many people within my own Group, and the Tory Group did not offer their assistance.

The lack of overt support for me, I suspect is actually due to Cllr Swift-Hook's repeated mantra that he has taken legal advice and followed an appropriate process. Again, Cllr Swift-Hook has never shown me any of the 'legal' advice (or for that matter the 'appropriate process' documents), and he has not shared the terms of reference for the so-called 'independent investigation' that found the cause of the mismanagement of public funds as no more than 'human error' of one person (who has was subsequently allowed to resign).

It is odd how the 'investigation' did not highlight tha other three names (two of whom are still connected with the Council) who knew of this 'human error' for four years, and chose not to say or do anything. In fact, it is apparent to me that there has been a four year 'cover up' of the 'human error'. Can the 'cover up' also be called 'human error'? Strangely the media do not seem overly bothered by this series of 'human errors', but they are ever so keen to write about the subsequent 'Grievance Complaints' submitted by the very people who were responsible for the 'human error' and the 'cover up'.

There desperately needs to be a full and truly independent investigation into this fiasco, for the actions of a few are causing the entire council to be challenged about its (Officer and Members) integrity and ethics. I would have hoped that those members of the Liberal Democrat Party who are not associated with this 'cover up', plus the Tory Group would have called for the inquiry themselves, for they have been treated like proverbial 'mushrooms'.

There is still time for Councillors themselves to take some responsibility for the future of the Council, but even if they choose to remain 'blissfully ignorant' of the truth, then I will continue to challenge them, and the Council over its continuing misbehaviour.

Yours

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera
Former Councillor

What is the cover up? Is the 'error' required to be minuted or written down, or recorded? Are you saying that the problem should have been discussed and published? Other than the mistake, what has not happened that is meant to have happened?

As for resigning. I feel that is a reasonable thing to do, BUT, but not resigning and allowing a process to go through, you would have more power to expose the miss management.

Well of course Swift-Half is perfectly correct in swiftly holding an investigation into someone calling the Councillors Numpties.........if this goes on it could well give the impression that the Council needs to be held in disrepute......perish the thought!
If he mingled with the precept payers more he would find out that if that is all he was called he would have very little to worry about. As soon as NTC comes up in conversation then the air quickly turns blue, even double glazing salesmen and bankers don't seem to get as much vitriol as them, he really should get out more!

Just a shame he failed to hold an investigation, into why the Council has cost the precept payers thousands of pounds and has done their damnedest to keep it under wraps for four years! Also another one for the victimisation of Simon Kirby and others for the crime of querying council costs etc. , but there again if he called an investigation into every item that he should then we could keep a permanent panel in work all year round!

Surely this Self serving little rabble of a club has one last iota of decency left in them to make the effort and declare they are resigning?

Andy Capp,

If I had anything to hide, and I was not happy to answer my critics then I would hardly be challenging the Council still?

As for the four year cover up, do you not believe that the public should be made aware of this, and do you not further think that the Council Leadership should have to answer why this happened?

Yours

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera
Former Councillor

The Council have never had to give answers to anything they did not want to in the past so they fail to see why they should start now just because a newcomer upstart thinks they should!

Cognosco,

What you say about the historical response of Newbury Town Council could well be correct, but need it be correct for the future?

If we the residents of Newbury wish things to change, and demand action now, then actually the Council will have little choice but to do as they are told. Remember there is an election looming, and the Councillors need our votes.

Newbury Town Council is not a small town council, not an organisation that has great influence, so they can required to change their ways.

Yours

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera
Former Councillor

Sorry to be so cynical RUP but there are residents who have been trying for years to make them accountable and transparent, without any success of course, as you are now fully aware!

One or two faces have changed over the years but the same people are always hovering in the background and all members of the same club. Even though there are two different political parties they also belong to the same club and pretend to give the impression that they are opposed to one another but of course this has proved to be a complete charade. I do think it quite a feat that you managed to get elected but I'm afraid as soon as you started showing a bit of independence and failed to follow the little clubs rules then your days were certainly numbered.

As to residents demanding action others have tried to rouse them in the past but all to no avail. So long as the council are leaving them in peace they just seem to want to let them get on with things. Baffling I know especially when you consider how much the council are costing them? What with residents struggling to make ends meet financially and searching to find the cheapest energy suppliers and seeking out the bargains in the shops it is very baffling that they let the council waste thousands of pounds of their hard earned cash without so much as murmur!

Sorry but as I have stated before the Council have always managed to not be held accountable and I fail to see this changing any time soon unfortunately!

Well, RUP you tried and it looks as if you still haven't given up - just a tactical retreat. Us walking wounded get pretty cynical at least there is a glimmer of hope!

Perhaps RUP would like to lead the second peasants revolt for us then?

.......I'll get me pitch fork!

Cognosco, you have something there....whilst we are still in Europe, let's have a French Revoluion! Would make the Market Place more interesting!

Not while we have the useless electorate; no.

I doubt you have anything to hide, BUT, you have de-powered yourself and have removed yourself from censure. A cynic could be forgiven in thinking that you are not being completely honest with your endeavours.


A cover up is a positive action, a deliberate act to make information unavailable. Keeping quiet, which is what appears to have happened here, is not quite the same thing. I feel to give credence to what you have danced around for a while now, you should spit it out and give a full account. Name names and say what they have done wrong.

However, from the limited knowledge I have of the situation, it seems clear to me that the leader of the council should do the honourable thing. His tenure has been marred with poor performance.

AndyC. Isn't that one of your 'logical falasies' ?

Just asking!

No, explain why?