RE: Question to cabinet member for Community Cohesion and Housing

Posted By: Ibrar Khan
Date Posted: 24/08/2007

What a waste of time it was to ask the portfolio holder for housing and community cohesion to answer a simple question, which is constantly being raised by the local community.

On the night of the full council meeting 25th July 2007 I asked the portfolio holder a question about the affordability of properties not only for rent but affordable to buy as well, I felt being the spokesperson for the Labour Group it was within my remit to ask this question, the irony of this was that the portfolio holder had already been sent this question to answer on the night .

I was shocked and disappointed when Councillor Ali refused to give me an answer to the question, which the community clearly have a right to know, and are equally concerned about. Due to his inability to answer the question Cllr Ali made personal remarks to me and accused me of starting my election campaign strategy, obviously Cllr Ali's mind was somewhere else and clearly worried about spring next year!!

I personally found this incident to be very insulting and quite embrassing to see a cabinet member who has been a councillor for 12 years to behave in such an irresponsible manner, especially bearing in mind that he has a duty to answer any written questions that have been given to him. I believe this was a perfectly valid question, which my constituents and myself would like to know about. I will continue to bring this question up at every council meeting until Councillor Ali answers the question or admits that he has no answer for it.

Finally, I would just like to say that the answer to my question had already been prepared by council officers, councillor Ali just had to read the answer. Peharps he had left his reading glasses at home!

Counillor Ibrar Ali Khan

Central Rochdale