Beach huts meeting can't be put off because of rising cost

As reported in the Daily Echo, concerns have been raised about the timing of the extraordinary meeting at Christchurch council on Tuesday as it coincides with an ongoing scrutiny investigation.

The special meeting was called by the Mayor, Cllr Trish Jamieson, after discussions with head of community and leisure, Judith Plumley, council leader Ray Nottage and deputy leader Claire Bath.

Chief executive, David McIntosh said only the full council can make a decision, because of the financial implications of not proceeding with it.

“The meeting was called...when it became apparent that an urgent decision was needed to be made by the whole council in order to agree a way forward.

“The existing agreement with Plum Pictures cannot be delivered and the longer that the delay goes on the more costly it is likely to be as is made clear in the report.”

Cllr Trish Jamieson said she was seeking further meetings with the officers to understand the urgency of the matter.

She said she has been assured the meeting “will not cut across the ongoing scrutiny investigation.”

Campaign group, the Friends of Highcliffe Beaches and Cliffs have questioned the actions of the leadership in scheduling a meeting when several councillors would be on holiday.

“Why has it been called when the scrutiny committee is already investigating past actions relating to the beach huts”, the spokesperson added.

“It can only be to interfere with this committee’s work.

“Once again we have the old secrecy game in holding a meeting where the public is excluded for so-called financial reasons and no planning permission is sought by resorting to permitted development rights.

“Such methods avoid any public consultation or disclosure of details to the public.

“All decisions will again be taken by an inner cabal of a few councillors and officers.

“As for the council concerns about its reputation, if it dared to hold an open meeting with the public it would soon find out.”