YOU have rightly drawn much attention to the importance of the Local Plan.

In any form, the Local Plan is going to have a profound impact on North Essex.

But is there public engagement that is proportionate and led by our local authority?

It is very clear some improvements have been made in the latest stage of consultation.

For example, more publicity has been given so that residents can give their views by letter or email, as an alternative to a website.

But as a whole, is public engagement really good enough?

STOP350 has written to BBC Essex proposing it promotes a special Question Time programme on the Local Plan(s).

Questions and comment from an audience and by phone-in could be a good format.

Why not a special leaflet distributed by the borough to all households? After all it is done for other things. An already produced leaflet on the website is heavily obscured.

As many communities are profoundly affected, borough councillors could promote local meetings like the ones in the parliamentary campaign.

In comparison, drop-in sessions now arranged are unlikely to create the local debate needed.

The borough council has stated residents’ responses will have to meet a required format and area to be considered.

Whatever it is, it certainly acts to stifle not create comments.

It is proving very difficult already two weeks in for residents to relate their concerns under these headings.

This is based upon experience on the doorstep, and the almost universal sentiment that the Draft Local Plan as published is largely unintelligible.

That much of the important detail is hidden; relaying computer-led information that some say requires a PhD to unravel.

In summary, it is very much needed for the council to explain to the community in more easily understood ways what it is doing, organise proper debates and meetings in the localities.

I am sure the residents would respond.

I am certainly not alone in fearing the borough will take any low response as being an endorsement of the Draft Plan.

Or in the end could it just be endorsement for something that residents find it difficult to understand or respond to?

John Akker MBE, chairman STOP350 Seaview Avenue, West Mersea

I THANK Lib Dem councillor Dominic Graham for his congratulations on my appointment as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Cabinet Office.

This appointment was made by the Prime Minister and it is a great honour and privilege to take on the role at such an interesting time in British politics.

I pledged to be independent minded and I believe I have kept that promise.

I also promised to ensure our town had a seat at the top table and a voice at the heart of government.

You do not get closer to the heart of government than the Cabinet Office.

I will now be working with and attending weekly meetings with civil servants and Ministers including the First Secretary of State.

However, let me be clear, I have always put the people of Colchester first and always will do.

Our town is being taken seriously and has a voice at the heart of government, I intend to ensure it is heard loud Will Quince MP for Colchester Heading here I WRITE to congratulate Will Quince MP on his appointment as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Cabinet Office.

As readers will be aware, Mr Quince has always claimed to be an independent-minded MP.

However now he has accepted this new role as PPS to the Cabinet Office he is obliged to vote with the Prime Minister or resign.

This new job, therefore, has put him into direct conflict with his own residents.

Mr Quince will be obliged to vote with the Prime Minister even if the vote will result in a bad outcome for Colchester.

A brief glance at Mr Quince’s voting record suggests this will not actually cause him too much hardship. According to theyworkforyou.com Mr Quince “on the vast majority of issues votes the same way as other Conservative MPs”.

It will be very interesting to hear how Mr Quince proposes to balance his so-called independent mind with his new role as PPS to the Cabinet Office and the unquestioning loyalty to the Prime Minister that comes with it.

After all, no man can serve two masters.

Councillor Dominic Graham, Colchester Liberal Democrats