'U' turn

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It appears that Ward Councillors Grey and/or Muir failed in their duty to communicate the RBWM proposal to Datchet Parish Council or the parishioners of Datchet that they purport to represent.

At the RBWM Planning Scrutiny Panel meeting on 12^th June 2012 Cllr Grey is on record [1] as making his position quite clear. He used the words overcrowded, ghetto and flood plain, and explained that schools, businesses and residents had all experienced problems that related to the travellers.

Yet at the Cabinet Meeting on 27 September 2012 Councillor Grey had totally reversed his position [2] and wrote that there were no problems and that he and fellow Ward Cllr Muir would welcome additional sites in Datchet.

[1] PLANNING AND HOUSING OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL 12 June 2012

· Councillor Grey (Ward Councillor for Datchet) informed Members that he believed Datchet already had their fair share of travellers and that if the proposed site in Datchet was approved the area could be viewed as being overcrowded and a ‘ghetto’. Councillor Grey asked the Panel to consider alternative areas such as Holyport or Ascot.
· Councillor Grey explained that the proposed Datchet site was located adjacent to an existing site and was also a contaminated site which was on flood plain. Councillor Grey explained that it had been well documented that schools and businesses, along with residents in the area had all experienced problems which related to the travellers.

http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/minsys3.nsf/AMByMonth/5FD5D44D2EBF9DA180257A2A005121F7?OpenDocument

[2] CABINET MEETING – 27 SEPTEMBER 2012

The Lead Member for Highways, Transport & the Environment read out a statement from Councillor Grey, Ward Councillor for Datchet, who was unable to attend the meeting. Councillor Grey stated that there were no problems with the traveller residents of Datchet, who were involved in many activities in the community including the recent Jubilee celebrations. Members of the traveller community helped the parish church with repairs and were representatives on the parish council and school governing bodies. There was no pressure on school places. The traveller community co-operated with the council, the police and other authorities. He and his fellow Ward Councillor, Councillor Gary Muir, would welcome additional sites in Datchet.

http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/minsys3.nsf/AMByMonth/52F16168988019A080257A8A004B682B?OpenDocument