On September 30, I presented a petition with 330 signatures in favour of the Batheaston New Village Hall and asked the Batheaston Parish Council to support the wider community and electorate in supporting the already highly consulted through the High Court but repeatedly obstructed plans by the Batheaston Shared Vision Group ( a group of five households).
We asked for a village referendum – in Bath Council 1,000 signatures are needed to trigger a debate across the whole of Bath. Batheaston has 2,600 residents. They would not agree, yet we sat through an presentation and discussion from BSVG.
When the parish council were then asked to share which plan they individually supported, not only was this question not acknowledged but the meeting immediately moved on.
The public were, as expected, quite taken aback albeit not surprised. Being rude to each other and the electorate is how certain members behave at every meeting. It's quite unpleasant. It's unacceptable.
We know a final decision is soon, again through the High Court and hope this issue will be resolved because at the end of the day the village want the new hall they originally asked for.
This is the second time the parish council have been petitioned – it seems it is the only way they listen but on this occasion that did not work either.
Emma Adams
Batheaston Resident