Mayor is speaking up for the town

It is alleged, that after “storming out” of a council meeting he made remarks directed at the district council’s deputy chief executive Andrew Jones.

The issue? Warwick District Council’s arbitrary handling of the Jockey Club’s planned takeover of part of St Mary’s Lands, together with other planned developments. This, together with WDC’s reluctance to enter into a democratic process to decide the matter, has understandably forced Mayor Dhillon to speak for us - the citizens of Warwick.

Mr Jones is reported to feel “intimidated and bullied” by the mayor. Oh please! Mr Jones. We are not in the local nursery school, this is the real world where people are allowed to have feelings, and make them known.

The St Mary’s lands issue is - for the citizens of Warwick at least - an emotive issue. But perhaps not for civil servants? I, personally, am grateful to Mayor Dhillon for having the courage to make the views of many of us known to the WDC.

Of more concern is the apparent move towards a totalitarian form of local government. Warwick District Council is a body appointed to serve and administrate the needs and interests of a community. Let us hope they will start to take the community seriously.

Alison Edwards, via email