RDA SHOULD WORK WITH US OR GET OUT OF THE WAY - Letter (15/12/05)

I write in response to the news that the Regional Development Agency has rejected yet another Somerset business from investing on the Morlands Site.

David Heathcoat-Amory, MP for Wells, has raised this in the House of Commons and urged a Government Minister to intervene. I share his anger.

Our residents want jobs. How dare this Government sponsored body tell businesses whether their jobs are good enough, or of the right type for Somerset?

The time has come for the RDA to stop being so arrogantly dismissive of criticism. Their bureaucrats make decisions that affect people's lives. That an unelected, unaccountable and remote body can make such decisions is galling.

The Conservative Group at Somerset County Council have been pressing the Liberal Democrat Administration about the future of the Morlands Site. The buck seems to pass back and forth between them and the RDA. Neither wants to take responsibility. However, we pledge that they will not be allowed to wash their hands of this. The Liberal Democrat Leader is a member of the Board of the RDA. We say that it is time the buck stopped, for the sake of Somerset's economic prosperity.

A great deal of time, effort and money has been put into promoting Somerset as a place for businesses to invest in. The RDA should work with us or get out of the way.

Christopher Wolverson,

Leader of the Conservative Group, Somerset County Council