Having read last week’s Courier, in particular the contribution from East Lothian councillors Liz Allan and Carol McFarlane, I wanted to respond on behalf of North Berwick Community Council (NBCC).

It is interesting that Councillor Allan had stated her intention to NBCC to vote in favour of Councillor Findlay’s motion to defer a decision on the town’s proposed parking management scheme but then changed her mind on the day [of the East Lothian Council vote].

To turn to the letter in the Courier by Councillor McFarlane, this is extremely disappointing.

The main thrust of her letter seems to be an accusation that community council vice chairman Judy Lockhart-Hunter shouted at her at a community council meeting. This is quite simply not true.

The Courier ran an article on the meeting, written by their reporter who was in attendance. Had there been any shouting whatsoever, it would have been reported.

Judy simply asked Councillor McFarlane questions which she failed to answer.

It is true that Judy’s questioning was insistent, but simply answering the questions would have brought it to an end. Councillor McFarlane had ample opportunity to do so.

Not once did she ask me, as chairman, for the opportunity to speak.

The community council had previously called an emergency meeting to discuss the outcome of East Lothian Council’s town parking survey, to which all three ward councillors were invited. Not one attended.

The fact that this was an emergency meeting indicated how important it was.

Judy asked Councillor McFarlane why she didn’t attend.

Following that emergency meeting, which was held the day before the East Lothian Council meeting to vote on these proposals, a summary of views expressed by the many who attended the emergency meeting was produced that night, circulated to the community council, approved by majority, and then sent on to all three ward councillors.

Councillor McFarlane advised that she did not read it. Judy asked why not.

The actions of Councillor McFarlane seems to indicate a total contempt for the community council, and for the people she is supposed to represent. Councillor McFarlane should retract her comments and issue an apology to Judy and to the community council.

The community council has listened to many comments on these proposals and, as a result, launched a petition opposing their implementation.

The East Lothian Council consultation received 1,080 responses; only 38 per cent were in favour of the plans.

To date, our petition has in excess of 1,250 signatures against the proposals.

The petition is available in the local shops and we will shortly be setting up street stalls to raise awareness further.

We believe these parking charge proposals are simply about gaining an income from a successful town.

Instead of solving any parking problem, they move them from place to place; and they run the risk of destroying the local economy.

Kenny Miller

Chairman

North Berwick

Community Council