WRANGLES over the uncertain future of Morrison’s supermarket plans for Abergavenny have thrown up accusations of the democratic process being sabotaged.

The claim came from disgruntled county councillor Debby Blakebrough who accused County Hall of blocking her questions demanding a clear statement on the superstore debacle.

She claims that her direct question was not given a direct answer when she spoke at the full meeting of the council and complained afterwards, “Unfortunately I felt that the reply to my original question was inconclusive.

“My supplementary questions around planning conditions to establish Morrisons commitment to build were avoided.”

She suggested that such behaviour of blocking questions ‘sabotages the democratic process.’

Councillor Blakebrough told the Chronicle, “The purpose of questions is for councillors to obtain information from the cabinet member for the benefit of themselves, the rest of the council and most importantly the public.

“It is the cabinet’s responsibility to provide information in a clear and full manner. To try and dodge the question with political antics is both irresponsible and puerile.

“Is Morrisons going ahead? I remain unclear.”

Her question which triggered the subsequent criticism was, “Council will have noted the recent announcement from Morrisons of declining profits, the closure of a number of outlets and the sale of their convenience stores.

“The company has also withdrawn from a number of new build projects. Given that state of affairs, will the cabinet member inform us as to when he last met with Morrisons management, what assurances he has been given about Abergavenny development, what timescale is envisaged for completion of the project and whether he remains confident that it will in fact go ahead?”

Deputy Leader Bob Greenland, in response, insisted he answered the questions put to him as best he could.

He told the Chronicle, “I answered Councillor Blakeborough’s questions fully to the extent of my knowledge.

“The only areas of questioning that I was unable to cover were issues around the conditions to the planning permission. That is a matter for the planning authority - not for me as the council representative.”

And he added, “Her accusation that ‘it is the cabinet’s responsibility to provide information in a clear and full manner’ and that ‘to try and dodge the question with political antics is both irresponsible and puerile’ has got more to do with her political aspirations as an Assembly Member than it has to the answers provided at council.

“I fear we might get more of this as next May approaches.”

Anxieties over the Morrisons move on Abergavenny has been sparked by a series of setbacks for the company as it struggles against a difficult trading period.

Matters reached a head last month with the announcement that 11 of its stores were being sold off to ease the problems.

The embattled company is said to be in legal rows with a number of property developers over projects it has made a tactical retreat from.

There are reckoned to be several court battles being fought which could influence multi-million pound payouts in favour of disappointed developers.

Now there are fears that a similar scenario could be acted out locally if Morrisons walk away from their contractual commitments with Monmouthshire County Council over the Abergavenny deal.

Morrisons are reported to have paid MCC a £1.6 million deposit for the town plan with a remaining balance of £15 million due when the project reaches completion in June next year.

The company has been evasive about any public comments on the Abergavenny project when approached by The Abergavenny Chronicle.

A spokesman said they would a ‘drop a line’ once they were in a position to confirm their plans.