AFTER many weeks and days of thought I have tried to make head or tail out of the comments made by councillor Gwyn John in the Barry and District News circa November 2014.

I noted with considerable distaste his comments on him alone thinking that the possible merger with Bridgend council is the most common sense move for the current administration.

He then condemns people airing views (their democratic right) in the local press in favour of the Cardiff option, saying that these people who sit on their backsides have nothing to do except write about things they know nothing about.

Councillor John has obviously missed the point here as the very people he criticises are those who worked in local government for many years and have forgotten more about local government than he will ever know.

He went on to say we would have fewer representatives and a lower slice of the cake for the Vale of Glamorgan (which roughly translated means a shorter ride on the gravy train).

He then said we would pay for Cardiff’s misdemeanours, does this therefore mean that he is in favour of the 25 per cent council tax of Bridgend compared to the 22 per cent currently in force in the Vale or the even lower 18 per cent council tax of Cardiff? So that is one of the misdemeanours he is trying to goad us with is it?

The truth is that Cardiff currently has 75 councillors and if we merged with Cardiff there would be a maximum of 75 council seats for both the former authorities. Councillor John is obviously fearful of losing his seat. He has even threatened to leave the Vale if the Vale merges with Cardiff.

It should not be left to the likes of him or councillor Moore etc to decide on this merger on our behalf, but should be put to a vote of what the people want and not be dictated to by a Labour led council to yet again tell us what we’re going to have.

Merge with Cardiff and I will gladly wave a flag for the departure of Councillor John, a man I may hasten to add I once had tremendous respect for.

Some councillors appear to be concerned with personal well being and not the well being of the people they are elected to represent.

So why are these brave councillors so afraid to let the people decide on our fate?

Barrie V Evans

Coordinator

Barry First Group

Barry Voice

FocusBarry Supporter