FOR the motion calling for the cancellation of the contract for the Javelin Park incinerator to be defeated by just three votes was devastating for the tireless campaigners who have done so well to get this far.

The strength of David against Goliath very nearly won and it was disappointing to get so near but be woefully so far from victory.

There is still a glimmer of hope to be had with Stroud District Council’s legal challenge to Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles.

And while that is going through Gloucestershire County Council should be forced to allow access to this eye-watering contract signed with Urbaser Balfour Beatty.

Government legislation clearly states that local authorities should expect to provide details of all new contracts, specifically in regard to waste.

Yet despite numerous Freedom of Information requests this contract remains hidden from view. So the question on everyone’s lips is: what has GCC got to hide?

It is ludicrous to expect councillors to make decisions in the dark without presenting them with all the facts.

And it is immoral not to show the public where their taxes are going. How can a democratically-elected council be allowed to behave in this way?

Frustration was evident at Wednesday’s meeting and emotions were running high against this high-handed level of decision making on our behalf.

It is fitting that Shire Hall has now been dubbed Wolf Hall because this is the sort of behaviour we thought had been left behind centuries ago.

We have right to know what is in the contract and GCC must realise this thorn in its side is not going to disappear without some answers.