Campaigners attack housing plans 'secrecy'
CAMPAIGNERS against the transfer of council homes in Neath Port Talbot have blasted the authority for withholding information which they say is vital to a fair debate.
Spokesman for the Neath Port Talbot Defend Council Housing (DCH) campaign, Huw Pudner, said the council's refusal to provide them with the addresses of council tenants amounted to an "obstruction of the democratic process".
He told the Post an official complaint had been lodged with the Information Commissioner, along with an appeal to the council's monitoring officer.
"We are only asking for addresses, we do not want names," said Mr Pudner.
He said they wanted the information so they could put forward their side of the argument against the transfer to a new landlord.
"There are two sides to this case," said Mr Pudner. "The council is spending £5 million on its camp- aign, and we have only got £500 raised through small donations.".
Mr Pudner said the Freedom of Information request was made in writing last August.
"The information was paid for and a cheque accepted and paid in by the council in early September 2009," he said.
Mr Pudner said campaigners waited more than five months only to be told at the end of January the request would be refused over concerns for "vulnerable" tenants.
"It is as if they are saying tenants are wards of the council," he said.
Robert Rees, the council's head of housing services, strongly denied the matter was a political issue, and confirmed the campaigners' cheque had been returned to them.
He said the authority had received the request but had concerns about data protection.
Neath Port Talbot DCH campaigners were due to hold a meeting today at Dyffryn Clydach Memorial Hall in Longford, at 2pm.
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by Govermental, Swansea
Tuesday, February 16 2010, 4:01PM
“adey, Port Talbot
Councillor Kevin Edwards has continously made questionable allegations on numerous occassions on this website in the past, so it is not surprising that the Evening Post has indeed, if that is the case, banned him from posting comments for his past misuse of the website to glorify the BNP and demean others!
If he has belief in his allegations about Neath Port Talbot, then he should have supplied evidence about them to the Police and made a complaint to the Council Ombusman.
The 'Justice for Linda Lewis' campaign, shouldn't rely on the likes of Councillor Kevin Edwards and his bunch of BNP cronies for continued support post the General Election, as it is likely you won't see them for dust as they re-enter the Political Abyss!”
by adey, Port Talbot
Monday, February 15 2010, 7:10PM
“It appears that Councillor Edwards has been band from posting on this site, has the south wales evening post been got at by the Neath Port Talbot council who are desperately trying to cover up their crime against Linda Lewis
Justice for Linda Lewis”
by Govermental, Swansea
Friday, February 12 2010, 6:37PM
“Councillor Kevin Edwards, BNP Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Aberavon
At the time you posted your comments, you had only sent off your Freedom of Information request 11 days earlier! The LA has at least 20 working days (or more depending on complexity of the request) and as there are 23 exemptions, which some are ¿absolute¿ and some ¿qualified¿ under Part 2 of the act which may or may not apply to your request. So, how on earth can you expect a detailed, accurate reply so soon!? Try reading Freedon of Information Act 2000, before you cast your shameless accusations! Surely, a wannabe Parliamentarian like yourself, should be aware of the relevant Acts of Parliament!? Like with the rest of the BNP rabble, you make unreasonable, unrealistic demands and as there is a General Election just around the corner, you are making public your involvement for your own self interests! Why didn't you make this Freedom of Information request much earlier than you did!?”
by BNP, we dont need your help, A democratic country
Friday, February 12 2010, 1:09PM
“Wow is there any popularist band wagon the BNP and Kev wont jump on at the last minute?”
by Paul Lynch, Swansea
Friday, February 12 2010, 11:32AM
“Defend Council Housing is a broad-based national campaign. DCH has repeatedly stated it is prepared to work with all political parties, except those parties who hold racist or fascist ideologies.”