Labour-run Greenwich Council is refusing to engage residents and community groups about their plan to sell the Equestrian Centre and Green Garth in Shooters Hill ward, despite an attempt by Conservative councillors at the Town Hall to force a community consultation.
Conservative councillors Matt Hartley and Roger Tester 'called in' the decision for further scrutiny, to give residents and local groups the opportunity to have their say at a meeting at the Town Hall on Wednesday (8 January). At the meeting, Labour Cabinet Members heard two hours of pleas from local residents, users of the Equestrian Centre, the Woodlands Farm Trust, the British Equestrian Federation, Shrewsbury House Community Association and even the Chair of the Shooters Hill Laobur Party condemning the decision.
Despite widespread opposition from the community, the Labour administration confirmed on Wednesday night they are refusing to launch a consultation - a decision which Councillor Matt Hartley said "makes a mockery" of their own much-publicised 'Community Engagement Pledge'.
Speaking after the meeting, Leader of the Opposition Matt Hartley said: "The Equestrian Centre was the centrepiece of what was supposed to be Greenwich's 2012 Olympic legacy, and just over a decade later it's being disposed of by this Labour Council without consulting the community beyond the very bare minimum, perfunctory, statutory consultation that they are legally required to carry out. The arrogance of this Labour administration is beyond belief - with their much-vaunted Community Engagement Pledge shown up to be completely meaningless.
"Community groups just want a say - and a chance to develop their own proposals for community-owened solutions to protect the future of both the Equestrian Centre and Green Garth, next door to Shrewsbury House. I think the very least that Labour councillors should do is give these groups the time they need to develop proposals - instead the community is being completely disrespected."
After hearing the arguments made during the 'Call-in' meeting, Conservative councillor Charlie Davis voted to refer the decision back to the Cabinet for reconsideration, but was outvoted by 2 Labour councillors on the panel. Labour's decision to sell the assets, without upfront consultation, therefore stands.
Watch the full meeting at www.bit.ly/shooters-hill-assets and read Greenwich Wire's report of the meeting here.
