Dear Monitoring Officer,

I am submitting a formal complaint regarding former councillor Lisa Smart, Angela Clarke, Mark Roberts, Rachel Bresnahan, who have repeatedly failed in their duty to represent residents and safeguard the public interest regarding the ongoing destruction of a designated Local Wildlife Site and protected amenity land in Padden Brook, SK6.

Key Issues:

  • I first contacted Cllr Angela Clark in August 2024 by calling at her home about  illegal clearance, tree felling, ecological damage & XXXXXXXX.
  • No response was received for  over 220 days, despite the seriousness of the issue and the clear environmental protections applicable to the site and despite my raising this issue several times at their Romiley office.
  • When Cllrs Smart/Roberts finally responded, they falsely stated that the site had been “improved” or “tidied up.” This is demonstrably untrue, as I have clear photographic and environmental evidence showing progressive degradation of the land and loss of habitat.

I believe this conduct breaches the Councillors’ Code of Conduct on multiple grounds:

  • Failure to act with integrity, honesty, and accountability
  • Failure to respond to residents in a timely and respectful manner
  • Misleading the public about the condition of a protected site
  • Failure to take action in the public and environmental interest

You already have all the supporting evidence of my attempts to get the councillors to respond, as Liz Sykes used it in her defamatory branding of me as vexatious for pursuing this issue.

You know the land is protected as Emma Curle belatedly admitted it was a Local Wildlife Site, and I provided you with evidence that this was protected amenity land.  I have also provided the council with photographic evidence that the site was not improved/tidied up many times.

I request that this complaint be considered under the Code of Conduct for Councillors and referred to the Standards Committee if necessary. I also ask for a written response detailing:

  • The investigation process
  • Whether the councillor’s conduct meets expected standards
  • Whether remedial or disciplinary action will be taken

If this matter cannot be properly resolved by Stockport Council, I will refer it to the Local Government Ombudsman, and will also continue to raise the issue with press and conservation bodies.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response within 20 working days, as per your policy.

Kind regards,

Sheila Oliver

Local Authority Specialist Researcher
Citizens 2022 Committee