Cheshire West and Chester Council has apologised for the second week in a row after controversial work began at a city park in breach of agreement with local councillors and the community.
This is the second apology issued by the authority in just a matter of days in relation to Alexandra Park in Hoole because the council released a confidential ombudsman’s provisional report in error.
The ongoing ombudsman investigation follows complaints from residents about the sale of the park keeper's lodge at Hoole Alexandra Park and the creation of a footpath and access serving the new St Martin's Academy.
This week work was carried out to cut through a hedge to create the new access without prior notice being given to ward members like Cllr Bob Thompson.
In an email to council chief executive Steve Robinson, Cllr Thompson wrote: “Given that this issue is sensitive to the local community why wasn’t I, as an elected member, consulted about the need for work to start?
“It would seem the council hold elected members (or some elected members) in total contempt.”
He added: “Having previously been given assurance that no work would commence until the ombudsman report is available I am deeply troubled.”
Cllr Thompson, who has since spoken to the chief executive, told The Chronicle: “He agreed with the thrust of it but he wanted to check out within the council processes what had transpired so he was going away to do that.”
Contractors at the St Martin’s school site told residents they had understood work could be carried out but accepted they had been ‘misinformed’.
Leading campaigner Linda Webb, of Fairfield Road, Hoole, said: “The council has gone back on its statement to the residents of Hoole and to their local councillors, not to allow any work on the gate and footpath until the ombudsman has issued a final report.”
Council spokesman Ian Callister said: “Regrettably, work started as a result of an internal misunderstanding. As a consequence, we were unable to keep our promise to inform, in advance, local members and the community. We would apologise for this.
“A full independent ecological survey of the hedgerow was carried out prior to the works commencing which revealed no nesting activity present.”
