MP Backs councillor in protest at ‘Lack of consultation' with housing office closure

Poplars & Hulme councillor Brian Maher has attacked the cavalier way in which Golden Gates Housing took the decision to close the Grasmere Housing Office at its meeting last week.  Councillor Maher has received the backing of Warrington North MP HELEN JONES.

Councillor Maher had collected over 200 letters from residents protesting at the proposed closure of the local office.  The Golden Gates board chose to ignore these letters with very little discussion.

Councillor Maher said :
“  Golden Gates had sought the views of local people on this issue but they simply ignored them,  in the most cavalier of fashions,   at their meeting last week.  The LibDem and Tory members of the board only wanted one decision which was to agree the proposals discussed in June to close rent offices.  They were not interested in the views of the people I represent.  Their attitude makes a mockery of the consultation they promised and is a disgrace.  “

Warrington North MP HELEN JONES said:
“  I know,  from talking to people in the area on a recent mobile surgery, that there was considerable support for keeping the Grasmere office open.  If Golden Gates conduct consultations they should,  at the very least,  be prepared to consider the views of those who take part in that consultation. It would appear that the majority on the Golden Gates board did not like the answer they got from local people and so chose to ignore it.  People have a right to expect better from Golden Gates than that.  “