Is it costs or democracy they don’t like?

Published: 28 April, 2011

• IS anyone surprised that it apparently costs £9,000 to hold a full council meeting in Camden Town Hall (£9k Big bill for meeting, April 21)? 

Costs of the Camden central bureaucracy are out of control and this enormous cost estimate confirms the suspicion that, in spite of statements to the contrary, little has been done to rein them in. If the estimate is accurate, the question has to be asked of why council meetings are held in Camden Town Hall, rather than a more cost effective venue, for example, Hampstead Old Town Hall.

In dealing with statements from Camden spokespersons, there always has to be concern about the accuracy of any information provided. 

In addition, it is always necessary to ask why is this piece of alleged information being pushed out at this time? In this case, the obvious answer is that Camden Council does not like any open debate about the future of its public libraries. The council is really unhappy with the democratic process and would like to stop it dead. 

ALAN TEMPLETON
Chairman, Camden Public Libraries User 
Honeybourne Road, NW6