COUNCILLORS facing mounting abuse over the controversial Sainsbury’s row have told critics to get off their backs insisting: “We are not Judas.”
Newport Town Council has come under fire this week after it emerged that members had begun drawing up a wish list of things it would like to see Sainsbury’s contribute to if the supermarket giant was given permission to move into the town.
Ideas included a new swimming, arts centre and recycling centre. Councillors received criticism on the Save Newport Campaign Facebook page, with campaigners saying the council “scored an own goal” and were doing “exactly what Sainsbury’s wanted.”
Councillors have also been stopped in the street by angry residents, with one man shouting ‘Judas’ as he drove past.
But today town mayor Councillor Roy Scammell moved to halt the accusations. He said: “Newport Town Council is made up of volunteers who give a lot of their free time to work hard on behalf of the residents of this town for little reward.
“They do not deserve to be insulted for doing their best for the community. We have not been a Judas.”
One resident wrote a letter to the council suggesting it was looking for its “30 pieces of silver.”
But Councillor Scammell said: “If residents think councillors haven’t behaved correctly they can report us to the standards board.”
He added: “When a development happens, the developer has to pay a sum of money to the district council for improvements to thingslike play areas and schools.
“If we don’t prepare a shopping list, the money will go to Telford & Wrekin. I am sure the people of Newport wouldn’t want this to happen.”
It was thought the bid to build supermarket in Station Road could be decided by planners next week, but the application has not been included on the agenda.
It is now likely to go before plans board in March.
By Sean Wozencroft