One man and his letter...

Wednesday night's Tendring District Council meeting yielded to last- minute pressure from one man and his quay – and let down a whole community.

Having taken legal advice on a last-minute threatening letter from Michael Parker of Trent Wharfage (TWL), the chair directed councillors NOT to debate Councillor Sarah Candy's motion in support of fence protestors. Standing orders were suspended to vote in her amended motion to be debated in Cabinet on 15 December.

At noon the following day, TDC held an open Cabinet meeting at Manningtree High School as part of Local Democracy Week, at which questions were invited from the pupils. Protesters were again silenced when Cllr David Lines unexpectedly announced that questions from other members of the public would not be allowed. TDC has not yet explained whether public questions will be allowed at the meeting on 15 December.

Free the Quay chair Simon Bullimore, who attended Wednesday night's meeting along with a large number of protesters, said: "It is extraordinary how our district council has allowed one man's incoherent and threatening letter to stop debate against the wishes of the whole community.

"We had assumed TDC would act in a manner consistent with the soothing noises they have made since the fence was first erected.  Councillor Candy did a great job in pushing through an amended motion requiring the council to recognise the vision of the Local Plan in respect of Mistley. But the behaviour of TDC is incomprehensible."

Free the Quay has asked for TDC a full explanation of its conduct, and how it intends to accommodate the views of all members of the community on 15 December.

NEXT FUNDRAISER: "ON THE WATERFRONT" AT THE ELECTRIC PALACE HARWICH - 7.30pm 27 NOVEMBER 2008.