MADAM - I have been invited through the SNJ by Labour county councillors Williams, Lydon and Oosthuysen to explain why Cllr Lunnon (Green, Stroud Central) and Lib Dem members “voted in favour of turning down the incinerator only on grounds of its height and size”.

I am happy to oblige.

The planning committee, including Labour and Conservative members, voted unanimously to reject the application because the need for it did not outweigh the harm it would do.

A number of planning policies were quoted as reasons.

Look it up on the county website if you doubt my word.

I spoke at that planning committee, attended every day of the waste core strategy examination in public and the incinerator appeal.

I observe and comment.

I don’t snipe from the sidelines.

They say I am unaware of the role of scrutiny committees.

Well, I attended over 30 county council budget & performance scrutiny committees between 2009-13, when it was excellently chaired by Cllr Andrewartha and I advised Cllr Lunnon on her questions to that committee and to full council.

Cllr Oosthuysen as chairman of the appropriate scrutiny committee would have been given the opportunity to comment on the case officers proposed be put to the incinerator appeal on behalf of the county council.

Given the level of local interest and in the interests of democratic accountability, perhaps he could now share the written response he made with us through your paper.

Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour county council groups all benefit from a full time researcher, paid for by us (£100,000 cost), on top of the £8,800 allowance each receives.

Independent and UKIP county councillors challenged this at a recent council meeting. Cllr Lunnon did not, although she has to pay me from her own allowance.

Labour and Lib Dem motions to council are supported, or not, by Cllr Lunnon on what she sees as their merits.

That’s consideration not collusion. The councillors are correct that I was not privy to their secret dealings with the Tories. I wasn’t invited.

As they have signed with their full titles, perhaps this "green campaigner" could be allowed to do the same.

Gerald Hartley

South West Green Party elections coordinator