Conservatives ditch plans for West Berkshire Council to meet the public at the Royal County of Berkshire Show this year

9.53.34am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 2nd Jun 2009

District Councillor Keith Woodhams (Lib Dem, Thatcham West) said that he was astonished to learn from the Leader of Council, Graham Jones, that he was pulling the Council out of the Royal County of Berkshire Show this year.

Cllr Woodhams said "The Conservatives hailed the last show a major success in engaging with the public so why have they totally reversed their decision this year?"

He said "It is vital that the Council interacts with residents living in the district. We need to involve the community and share ideas about how can we improve the environment and the infrastructure and we can't do that if we don't listen to the people"

"After the Conservative administration abolished the Public Area Forums in June 2008, residents were promised road shows and public meetings in both the Kennet Centre and Kingsland Centre shopping malls, and they have not materialised either."

"It is another blow for local democracy and the Conservatives have obviously lost interest in the people they serve."