Taking the credit

In writing to you regarding the letter printed last week from Derek Hodgson, I realise I am opening the floodgates to criticism of the district council from the town council, and so I must point out that the following views are my views alone.

I cannot let this letter go unchallenged as Mr Hodgson and the town council seem to be trying to take a great deal of credit for action that has taken place in Letchworth Garden City.

For example, the Grange regeneration project. I seem to believe that the town council was not even in existence when the original meeting at the Grange Community Centre took place regarding designs for a play area. The community of the Grange, in no uncertain terms, sent the district council away to reconsider the designs. This they did and what you see by way of design is the result of the actions of concerned residents of the Grange Estate not the town council. Mr Hodgson is correct that the town council was asked its opinion and the result was a meeting that did no more than confirm the fact that the original design was unsuitable.

Norton School - Is the town council really saying it would have saved Norton School? I was not a district councillor at that time but I do know that Letchworth Garden City councillors did all they could to stop the closure. I would remind readers of your front page headline today - 'Schools Threat', and take it I can now rest easy knowing that the town council will make everything right if there is an actual threat to schools in Letchworth Garden City.

Paddling pool sandpit - There were numerous complaints raised by residents and district councillors regarding the ill-thought out removal of the sand. For the town council to take credit for the new and improved play area is an insult to all of those residents who took the time to take issue with the council on this matter.

As for the patronising tone towards Ms Arnold's letter at the start of Mr Hodgson's letter - what can I do but apologise to her and say that it is not the first time I have witnessed this and I am sure it will not be the last.

I hope that has cleared up some of the comments made. This is not the first time I have had to do this and I will probably find myself doing it again and again. Of course it could stop if messages a bit closer to what actually occurs, are put forward from time to time.

CLLR SIMON BLOXHAM, Eastern Way, Letchworth Garden City

* Letchworth home owners need to consider the ever increasing powers being exercised by the Foundation over residents' properties and threats for non-compliance.

What is not of concern is the need for some controls. This issue is the way that they are applied, the bullying culture and where will it stop after the colours of your doors, etc, as they have more doctrines in the pipeline. A Governor of the Foundation at the time wrote in a letter to The Comet in September/October 2002 "what comes next...maybe the shape of our chimney pots"

DEREK HODGSON, Norton Road, Letchworth Garden City