That's not atypical of councils.
I've had occasional skirmishes with Hillingdon town council - they have the pleasure of Heathrow Airport and Brunel University on their patch. As an organisation they seem to spend much of their time at war with these two - who are not only by far the largest employers of their constituents, but also so far as I can see very responsible employers and organisations who each bring millions into the patch.
And just ask anybody involved with North Weald...
It seems to be in the nature of councils that they are mostly comprised of people who are essentially negative about things, and struggle to be positive about anything in particular.
G