Residents of Thorpe Bay have called for greater consultation with Southend Council about local issues.

The first consultation was over dogs on the beach. Two-thirds of respondents voted against the ban on dogs, but even before the end of the consultation period, the council erected signs banning dogs.

As if that wasn’t proof enough the council had predetermined this issue, it then ignored the majority vote at the end of the consultation period and maintained the ban.

Thorpe Bay is now embroiled in a second farce, described by the council as a traffic and parking consultation.

A letter headed Thorpe Esplanade – Parking Problems was sent to residents saying the area is close to a railway station (untrue), has many shops and businesses (untrue) and suffers from the pressures of commuter parking (untrue). One wonders if Southend Council employs anyone who lives in the town and has local knowledge.

Thorpe Bay and Southend East stations are a good mile from the seafront.

This misleading and confusing letter was sent out with the sole intention of spoiling the process of consultation.

How do we know this? Because, despite the fact the council is due to debate this consultation and the numerous complaints it has received about it on March 8, residents have already received letters stating the council’s intended action following the “consultation”.

So, we’ve now had two consultations, both predetermined by the council.

These exercises in democratic pretence have wasted public money which might have saved the town’s meals-on- wheels service.

Steve Rawlinson
Walton Road
Southend