Response

As a member of the Cherwell District Council planning committee, I take issue with several points raised by Mr Moore in his letter last week. He fails to recognise that there were no sustainable planning reasons in which to refuse a much-needed children’s home. Highways had no issue with parking and traffic issues, while the police and anti-social behaviour officers were content with the application. I will remind readers that the application was for a children’s home, not a “secure/ detention centre”. G4S operates eight similar homes, four judged “outstanding” by Ofsted, two as “good” and two other awaiting inspections. While Oxfordshire County Council does not have a contract with the applicant yet, it is expected that the county authority will need to place local youngsters within this home, and that it will continue to work for the best outcomes for these vulnerable young people.

This would be far better than sending youngsters a long way away from family, friends, and local schools.

Due to the lack of suitable local facilities, the county council has had to place children as far away as North Wales and Preston in recent years. Hardly the best way of helping vulnerable young people.

Mr Moore went on to accuse councillors of not “recognising and supporting the views of the people within their community” and claiming “it becomes a clear duty and responsibility to reject them”.

I would remind Mr Moore, and all readers, that councillors of all political persuasions, are elected to try to serve all members of the community they represent – those who vote for us, and against us, and, of course, those who can’t be bothered to vote at all. Importantly we try to help those without a vote – in this case vulnerable young people.

Lawrie Stratford, Councillor, Bicester