Councillor stands by HIS controversial 'asbestos' query

A row has erupted about the demolition of a building with an asbestos roof in a residential area of Windsor - after a councillor raised the issue at a meeting of the Royal Borough on Tuesday. Cllr Wisdom Da Costa (Independent: Clewer North) expressed concern about the demolition at a full council meeting, asking what the processes existed was to ensure that residents were not put at risk. He also wanted to know what the council's responsibility was and what it was doing to inform residents what they should do. But his question caused anger - as Clewer South councillor Ed Wilson accused him of causing panic by specifying the road he was talking about. Cllr David Coppinger, who is cabinet member for planning and health, told Cllr Da Costa asbestos incidents were ultimately the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive. But he has acknowledged that the HSE had not kept the council in the loop over the incident. Cllr Da Costa remains unrepentant about raising the issue in public.