No apology necessary (From Barry And District News)

No apology necessary

A BARRY residents' leader is furious after the Vale of Glamorgan Council refused to apologise about the way it handled the Monmouth Way Homes4U plan.

At a meeting last week, Labour councillor Rob Curtis asked if officers responsible for the re-designation of houses in the Gibbonsdown ward would say sorry for the upset and rumour it caused.

But the council's cabinet member for housing and community safety, Cllr John Thomas, insisted the matter had been handled properly and ignored calls for a public apology.

He added no asylum seekers, sex offenders or ex-convicts would move into Monmouth Way or Pontalun Close.

But chairman of Gibbonsdown Residents Board, Molly Conway, said: "I feel the old people in both Monmouth Way and Pontalun Close deserve an apology.

Un-designating an area originally designated for pensioners so homeless people can move in is not very caring.

"I know there is a public meeting planned for the three remaining residents in Monmouth Way, but what about all the people indirectly affected by these plans - and Pontalun Close?

"There are still 43 inhabitants there, and I will fight every step of the way to make sure they can stay in their homes without fear.

There's a petition demanding the same thing with over 500 names on it.

"Over the years, the Gibbonsdown has put up with an awful lot, and we are getting a better name for ourselves.

Haven't we had enough?

"I am refusing to back down.

Although I'm missing the tactful and diplomatic skills of Cllr Maurice Nugent, I appreciate what Cllr Rob Curtis is doing.

"The fact remains, we need to stand up for these people, some of whom are into their 90s.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has to come clean over its plans, and has to explain it to the people living here.

But more importantly, it has to leave these old people alone."