Racism' accusations enter purple shop row

'SORRY seems to be the hardest word"—little did Elton John know when he penned those lyrics how conveniently they would sum up a parish council's ongoing row with a now infamous 'purple shop'.

A special meeting of Beaudesert and Henley Joint Parish Council was called on Thursday evening to discuss the media coverage of the parish council's activities, in particular those surrounding Bespoke Curtains and Blinds of Henley and its controversial purple exterior.

More than 30 residents turned out to the meeting despite the parish council neglecting to advertise the agenda anywhere and yet again there was a sense of 'Groundhog   Day'   for anyone   who   attended looking for the council to apologise for its actions.

Instead,  the   council seemed keen to pass the blame on to the media, alleging it had portrayed the council in a bad light despite numerous comments from residents and even me proprietors of the curtain shop that the newspaper reports have been accurate.

There  was  still  no apology despite the rather severe allegations being levelled at certain members of the council. Cllr Carsina Goodman has been accused of racism. This follows her comments to the curtain shop's proprietors including "this is my town and you're not welcome here" and "if you don't like it clear off".

Two complaints have been made against her to the Standards and Ethics Committee at    Stratford    District Council. Meanwhile, Warwick and Leamington MP James Plaskitt has declared his dismay at the parish council's behaviour.

Council chairman Cllr Les Goodman, who is also Cllr Mrs Goodman's husband, announced that a letter had been sent to the proprietors of the curtain shop to ask them to meet with the council at their convenience to discuss the way forward and the council was waiting for a reply. However, as he made this announcement, the proprietors of the curtain shop were sat with the assembled residents.

Proprietor Zak Miah even stood up later on in the meeting and apologised to the council and the community for the trouble he had caused and extended the hand of friendship to the council. Still the council made no direct comment to the proprietors. Councillors would obviously prefer to wait for a reply to their letter.

In reference to –James Plaskitt's comments, Cllr Goodman appeared to question their authenticity by saying the council had received no comment from the MP themselves.

Several months after the saga began, residents were still keen to air their views in the public participation session.

In   summary,  Peter Crathorne, chairman of the Town Improvement Committee, called for councillors to set aside their personal differences and openly and calmly work for the best interests of the town.

One resident asked councillors if they were prepared to apologise to the town. She continued that if they were not their position was untenable because they had lost the confidence of the town.

Former High Bailiff of Henley, Douglas Bridgewater, commented this was not MI 5, it was the lowest form of local government and it should be transparent.

This comes after the council voted at the last meeting to continue a discussion on the purple shop in private session despite over 30 residents gathering expressly to hear what councillors had to say.

Another resident questioned whether there was more to the curtain shop events than he knew as it seemed to just be an opportunity to have a go at the council by other groups.

The e-mails received from Henley News On-line, edited by Cllr Bill Leech, encouraging residents to come to the council meetings were described as playground bullying by one resident. She said it was like going   round   shouting "fight, fight, fight".

"Humility carries more weight," was the comment from yet another resident. He continued that by not apologising the council was making a rod for its own back.

Next it was the council's turn. Cllr Goodman said the last meeting had gone into private session because one councillor had failed to disclose a prejudicial interest which would have been material to any discussion.

The councillor in question had been at a meeting with the curtain shop that day and had not disclosed it.

However, this does not match up with what residents witnessed at the meeting of 1st February. It was Cllr Roger Hubbocks who proposed further discussion on the purple shop be moved into private session as he felt the council had not had a chance to discuss it properly.

At Thursday's meeting Cllr Hubbocks, said the media had really gone to town on the parish council but all they had done was work within the procedures they had guidelines for.

Cllr George Matheou said the media was there to bring tourists to the town and anything else was immaterial.

Cllr Nick Haycock said he was delighted the curtain shop was there but planning rules had to be adhered to.

The last word was given, to Cllr Mrs Goodman. She said: "You have got to want to do this job. I want to do it and I will continue to do it."


Report by Philippa Mingins - Stratford Herald - Thursday 18th February 2010