This is a press release from the Newbury Labour Party concerning the Town Councils unanimous decision that fencing was not required around the new play area in Victoria Park. The press release has been reproduced in full without editorial comment.
Newbury Labour Party spokesman Richard Garvie has hit out at Liberal Democrat and Conservative town councillors for once again failing to listen to members of the public on an important local issue. At the start of the year, Mr Garvie questioned the lack of fencing within the designs for the new play area in Victoria Park, and whether parents had been consulted. Although no consultation documentation was ever produced by Newbury Town Council, councillors insisted that parents were supportive of the council's position on the matter.
With over 1,000 people signing a petition to install a fence around part of the play area, the council risk disenfranchising people by once again failing to listen to the needs of parents and park users. Mr Garvie said "This whole episode is another example of a small number of elected officials refusing to listen to local people. Parents use the park on a regular basis and have rightly raised concerns about the deep water beside the play area and other safety issues such as dogs without a leash. My concern is that those who have engaged with the council since the play area has opened will now think that there is no point interacting with councillors or officers because they don't listen to public opinion, and if you look at CCTV, day centre closures and the pavilion issue, it's becoming very clear that public opinion is often ignored."
1,00 isn't a great number of people - unless you compare it with the number voting Labour of course!
100 is a significant number actually. I wonder how many more would have opted for a fence if an actual consultation had taken place - instead of an alleged consultation as stated by the council - When did the consultation take place and who had the chance to take part in the consultation. I for one certainly never had the chance to parcticipate any one know who was consulted? I would request the council to give evidence of this consultation but I know they do not read or take notice of this forum do they or the taxpayers either?
The overall total was something just over 1,200. These are parents and park users who like me (and cognosco) must have "missed" any mention of a consultation. Does anyone have links to the consultation results and where can it be viewed?
Is this just a matter of cost or are the town council now miffed because the users know better than them what is needed for the safety of their children. Mums want to go to the park with their offspring, have a chat with other mums without having to continually watch the child or children to make sure they haven't wandered off. Nearly every play area around town in the smaller parks are fenced so why isn't this one fenced when there is a possibility that a child can wander off or dogs can wander in and take a dump in the play area. Even an owner picking up the package still leaves the mess on the grass. That said, the play area was never fenced when I was a kid nor when my lads were young. I don't remember any accidents but in those days, a child falling in the pond would be unlikely to make the headlines in the Newbury Weekly.
Is this the same Richard Garvie who couldn't even fill out the simple form to get nominated for election to the Town Council correctly?
So run out of reasoned arguments then User? So I take it from your desperate reply and attempt to divert yet another thread there was no consultation then? Come on get a grip the Supreme Leader will expect more that this you know, remember cuts will have to be made and though you have done sterling work as the councils Firewall well times are hard........
Because I don't understand why he seems to be telling the organisation he failed at the first and simplest hurdle to join, what to do.
I'm not diverting the thread, I'm commenting on the competence of the local politician who issued the press release.
You have to move on. Whatever the reasons for not getting on the polling paper, you can't hold that against him for ever.
The park and the playing area fence need a champion and he has the ear of the press at the moment and he is positive about it. You, conversly, appear to be on the opposite side of the fence if you will excuse the pun.
You have to move on. Whatever the reasons for not getting on the polling paper, you can't hold that against him for ever.
The park and the playing area fence need a champion and he has the ear of the press at the moment and he is positive about it. You, conversly, appear to be on the opposite side of the fence if you will excuse the pun.
Just until the next election. I'm sure Newbury Labour Party are positive about every bandwagon they jump on.
Just until the next election. I'm sure Newbury Labour Party are positive about every bandwagon they jump on.
Whatever, since the other two parties are effectively one, the Newbury Labour Party are the only opposition. Obviously this is not acceptable to you and your masters.
I disagree. Labour jumping on the local bandwagon usually makes it LESS likely that anything will change.
Read this statement....what alternative is Labour offering? It's just a warning saying don't ignore public opinion, so it adds nothing to the debate, and is far too quick to try and steal the glory of real people pushing for change with smug "I told you so" broadsides. I never knew socialists were so shallow!
This town's in a mess because of ineffective politicians. Garvie & Co are going to have to be much more effective to be taken seriously around here.
I disagree. Labour jumping on the local bandwagon usually makes it LESS likely that anything will change.
Read this statement....what alternative is Labour offering? It's just a warning saying don't ignore public opinion, so it adds nothing to the debate, and is far too quick to try and steal the glory of real people pushing for change with smug "I told you so" broadsides. I never knew socialists were so shallow!
This town's in a mess because of ineffective politicians. Garvie & Co are going to have to be much more effective to be taken seriously around here.
I think the point is that I asked the council about the lack of fence in the designs before it was even built and was told parents had been consulted. Obviously they missed the 1,200 or so people who signed the petition, and me, and other users on this forum. Just exactly who did they speak to?
It's not about jumping on bandwagons, I raised this as an issue before the thing was even built or became a local campaign, so how can I be accused of jumping on the bandwagon? I highlighted the issues about the skatepark before that was built and the subsequent complaints and petitions, I raised the issue of CCTV weeks before it was published in the papers and we also led the way on fighting cuts to day centres and youth clubs alongside people who asked us to raise those issues. As for Victoria Park, we will continue to speak up for what is right and on the whole support the town council in what they hope to achieve. That being said, they need to listen to what people want and be proactive, not reactive.
I'd love to hear your reasoning for that last post, it just doesn't make sense and it doesn't match the facts either.
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