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HAVE YOUR SAY: Council shifts blame on store decision to Whitby Gazette
WHITBY Town councillors tried to shift the blame for their unpopular Sainsbury's decision on to the Whitby Gazette.
They hit out at reporting by the Gazette and the people of Whitby who have inundated our newsroom with letters on the subject.
At the town council meeting last Tuesday, Ian Dixon of Fishburn Park questioned why the council had not wanted a Sainsbury's when it would bring much-needed jobs to the town.
He said he had been unemployed for some time and could not understand the logic of councillors turning it down or why more members of the public were not at the meeting to express their displeasure.
Councillors spent 30 minutes defending themselves as to why the vote for Sainsbury's went the way it did.
Mayor Terry Jennison said: "This is called democracy. We are only an advisory body, all major decisions are taken in Scarborough."
Coun Sigsworth said: "It is very difficult because as a businessman I could not vote."
Coun Niall Carson said he had not been present as he was on holiday at the time, adding: "Letters in the Gazette are sometimes not accurate.
"It was not reported it was not a decision by full council but by the planning committee.
"We do not make decisions in planning, we recommend and they go to Scarborough Borough Council but the Gazette just declares one for and two against."
Coun John Dickinson said his son has a business and that was why he declared an interest.
Coun Mike Murphy said: "I was not involved but I would have voted in favour."
Coun Ian Havelock said: "We are a parish council and we are here to give an opinion, not take planning decisions."
Coun Jackie Daniels said: "I was at the meeting and spoke for the supermarket. People in the town want extra choice.
"We have been badly reported by the Gazette. With Coun Coughlan I spoke out as a member of the public and that was not reported.
"I think it should be."
However, they did not attend in their capacity as councillors so could not have voted.
Coun Stacey Daniels accused the Gazette of inaccurate reporting and several councillors grumbled about the volume of letters from the public.
He claimed problems had arisen from the reporting.
Mr Dixon said he felt the decision had brought the council into disrepute.
At the original meeting, Coun Terry Jennison and Coun Walter Jones voted against and Coun Dorothy Calderley in favour.
The final decision will be taken by SBC.
* WHAT do you think of the councillors' remarks? Have your say below.
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Weather for Whitby
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light snow
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