There is new hope today for Harwich’s food bank following a scrutiny meeting of TDC’s Corporate Management committee held last night.
At the meeting Labour’s Garry Calver and Ivan Henderson challenged the decision to deny the lease of the former TDC offices in Waddesdon Road to the food bank and received new hope from the cross party committee.
Ivan Henderson and Garry Calver called in to question the validity of the decision on both financial and social need grounds and, although the portfolio holder defended his decision, the committee was not prepared to allow it to stand. The unanimous decision of the committee was to ask the portfolio holder to reconsider the decision offering new hope to the food bank.
Garry Calver says, “The committee did not have the power to overturn the portfolio holder’s decision but it could not have sent a clearer message. When a cross party scrutiny committee unanimously asks a portfolio holder to reconsider his decision then it would be extremely disappointing if the portfolio holder chose not to listen.”
All aspects of the decision were closely scrutinised by the committee with detailed questions being asked on the financial implications to the council, the community need and potential community benefit and the need for a discreet location for the food bank.
Ivan Henderson says, “The committee was made up of councillors from across the district and they all voted for the portfolio holder to reconsider his decision. It was refreshing to see everyone putting political differences aside and voting as one. It was a very strong message to the portfolio holder and we must now await his final decision.”
For further information please contact
Garry Calver on 01255 551940 or Ivan Henderson on 07889 367822