A Bracknell councillor has raised concerns about her access to information and the amount of debate there is at Bracknell Forest Council (BFC).

Labour member Councillor Mary Temperton asked councillor Chris Turrell (Conservative) at a meeting of the council on Wednesday, July 11 about the council's response to Heathrow’s expansion.

Cllr Temperton, who is the only non-Conservative councillor at the local authority, claims only “3 or 4” of Bracknell members have seen the response, which “generally supports the proposed expansion but with some conditions and many questions”.

Speaking to the News, Cllr Temperton said: “The council must represent all members of the borough.

“It is not good enough and we need that representation.

“There is never any debate and all decisions are made in small groups.”

Speaking to the News, Cllr Chris Turrell said: “I wrote the response and I had officer input.

“Moving forward there will have to be a discussion in a more formal format but we have got to bear in mind that this is a national decision.

“We are absolutely aware of local sensitivities.

“We will engage more formally and we need to take on board local concerns.

“We need to see how this looks to the council to see how we can move forward.”

In response, Cllr Temperton said: "Having asked the question about Heathrow, I did expect the response to be sent to all members. I was given a copy on request. This was my only cause of concern.

"I do believe all try to keep me as informed as possible."

Talking about life as the opposition member at Bracknell Forest Council, Cllr Temperton told the News: “It is hard.”

“There are 44 councillors who wish you weren’t there.”

However Mrs Temperton, who has been an elected member for seven years now, said she “gets respect for what I do”.

She said: “I love being a councillor for Great Hollands North. The people part is lovely.

“I’m a Labour person but it’s more about helping people."

Despite this, she feels more support would be beneficial.

“I would be a better councillor if there were more of us as there would be more debate.”

The sole Labour councillor also claimed she struggles to keep informed sometimes as "some officers forget to brief me."

She said: “Keeping me informed is not their (the officers) priority"

"Senior officers do indeed give me regular opportunities to raise issues and relate my concerns but they are obviously not in a position to give me information about future thinking and this I catch up with by attending the Executive meetings."

"I have regular meetings with the Chief Executive and he is always very informative and helpful.  I have regular meetings with the chief officer for Children, Young People and Learning, and with the Chief Officer for Adult Services, Health  and housing."

In response to this, Timothy Wheadon, chief executive at Bracknell Forest Council, said: "I am really surprised by the suggestion that councillor Mrs Temperton is not kept informed by the council’s officers.

"This isn’t an issue that has been raised with me directly during any of the meetings I hold with her, specifically to ensure she is kept abreast of key issues the council is facing.

"Officers have access to many other channels to keep all members updated via member briefing sessions, update reports as part of meeting agendas, email briefings and regular ward alerts about planned activity, all of which are available to all members.

"Other senior officers also invest a lot of time making sure councillor Mrs Temperton, as well as other councillors, have access to information required and as requested.

"The only thing councillor Mrs Temperton would not have access to is emerging policy thinking from within the majority conservative group - but she would not expect that."