Statement for BCP Ltd meeting re Roy Margetts Accusations

We, the Directors, are pleased to be able tell you that the letter written by Cllr Margetts in December 2009 has now been fully retracted and an apology has been accepted. Cllr Margetts’ concerns about the legality of our governing document and procedures have been fully explained and he is satisfied with that explanation.

We would like to make it clear that at no time was the existence of Community Partnership ever threatened or that we have ever declined to discuss and negotiate a resolution to this problem. All Directors have made themselves fully available at all times to resolve this matter. However, there are three people in particular who have spent a considerable time dealing with the allegations. Special thanks need to be made to Sandy Duck who has spent many hours sifting through paperwork in order to satisfy the queries made by Cllr Margetts. It is testimony to her organisational and administrative skills that he is now satisfied. Similarly, we would like to thank Ken Johnson who has shown immense patience and resilience in dealing with the many emails he has had responded to. Also, thanks should also be given to Cllr Alan Grant who has spent a lot of time mediating between the two parties. He should know that his involvement was appreciated even though his approach and methods are somewhat at odds with the BCP Directors and this has further highlighted the different operating and management approaches between the Parish Council and Community Partnership.

All this time spent answering queries and sending emails has meant that this time was not being used more positively to further benefit our community. Now this matter has been resolved we can once again get back to the reason why we are part of this group – namely: serving, promoting and developing Billingshurst.

This matter has been very stressful for some Directors. But, it must be said that we will always vigorously defend the Community Partnership no matter what it takes, both now and in the future. We will not allow the good name, reputation or integrity of the Billingshurst Community Partnership to be compromised by a few ill conceived words. We all work far too hard for this community to allow that to happen. This unfortunate incident has proved beyond doubt that the Community Partnership has a group of Directors, who although quite different in temperament, skills and abilities are fully supportive of one another and totally united in their desire for the aims and goals of the Community Partnership to be realised.