This is an open letter to Bruce McDonald, Kingston Council’s chief executive.

Please can you explain why an announcement was made by Kingston Council regarding new funding arrangements for the Rose Theatre before a decision had been made by councillors at committee?

The news item dated April 2 was published five days before the committee report was made available publicly and pre-dated the debate and decision by 12 days.

Who prepared the statement and who authorised and signed off the press release?

The April 2 statement made no reference to negotiations being subject to committee approval.

Whatever the view of the new funding arrangements for the theatre, they included writing off a substantial loan and suspending a standing order of our constitution in order to bypass a procurement process.

Do you consider it acceptable to declare an outcome before recommendations are approved and the public given an opportunity to participate in an open forum?

Would you agree that this showed total disregard for the democratic process?

A situation arose in 2013 when proposals were publicised concerning the transfer of adult education provisions to the Groves area of New Malden without notification to residents or ward councillors.

Have no lessons been learned?

LYNNE FINNERTY
New Malden