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Chairman of the Petworth business association steps down
The man who led the assault against car parking charges being introduced at Petworth has quit as chairman of the town's business association.
Rowland Kenny stepped down at the association's annual meeting, believing he could no longer occupy the high-profile position because of a family link to two councillors representing the town at district and county level.
Mr Rowland is the brother-in-law of Petworth's county member Chris Duncton. Mr Duncton's wife, Janet, a district councillor, was controversially barred from speaking in the council's crucial car parking debates on the grounds she had a personal and prejudicial interest.
The Duncton family farm, of which she is a director, is a member of the group.
After his resignation, Mr Kenny told the Observer while he believed Mrs Duncton's enforced absence from the debates probably did not make any difference to the eventual outcome – the decision to introduce charging in 2011 – she might have been able to exert an influence in the earlier stages.
"I feel it is unfair on the public of Petworth if, on important matters where the business association is involved, my position as chairman renders big problems.
"Certainly Janet was warned, which may have held her back from being as vocal as she might have been."
For a similar reason, while he would remain a member, he would not serve on the committee in any capacity, he said.
"If Petworth Business Association wanted to take a stand on something, my being on the committee could be restrictive. It is silly to be sitting in a position if it is going to cause a problem. It isn't necessary."
The association is comparatively new. It was formally launched in 2008, when Mr Kenny, a farmer who also has a butcher's shop in Petworth, was elected vice-chairman.
He accepted the chairmanship at its first annual meeting in 2009.
From 47 members a year ago, the number on its books now is 67, with 16 potential new recruits.
Mr Kenny said: "Petworth is a thriving community. If people stick together, they can look out for the future of that community and not have it threatened. There are other people who can, and should, take the opportunity to lead the PBA."
He added: "I feel honoured to have led it and been associated with so many very nice people. The other committee members have all done a sterling job this year."
During the fierce but fruitless campaign to fend off parking charges, Mr Kenny found a strong ally in Lady Egremont at Petworth House.
She wrote letters to the Midhurst and Petworth Observer opposing the threat and accompanied Mr Kenny to the district council's headquarters in Chichester, to present a protest petition.
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Weather for Haywards Heath
Sunday 27 May 2012
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