BASILDON Conservative councillors and their supporters have expressed their anger and disappointment, claiming that they have been unfairly shut down from make a valid comment about a controversial community centre development in the town.

At last week's (Wednesday, 17 December) meeting of the council's Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee Conservative councillor David Dadds (Billericay East) attempted to open up a discussion about the plans for the Laindon Community Centre as the meeting looked at its word programme.

However, committee chair David Harrison, who is a member of the independent and Labour alliance controlling the council, refused to let him speak.

In a clash of opinions reminiscent of the recent much-publicised spat at Handforth Parish Council in Cheshire the two councillors clashed about the right to speak and the council rules.

In the end Wickford councillor Harrison prevailed, but not before threatening to mute Cllr Dadds from participation in the meeting.

The future of the community centre is a huge talking point in the Laindon area, despite an attempt from Labour council leader Gavin Callaghan to give cast iron assurances about its future.

Local Tories have expressed their disappointment and have accused Labour and the independents of trying to drive roughshod over local people's wishes and democracy.