Demand answers and action
Last updated 15:54, Tuesday, 18 March 2008
Another view - by Michael Robbins
THE objective, strived for a decade or two, to make Whitehaven a more attractive place for visitors has, on balance, been achieved.
But it may have come as a surprise to read last week that there had been an arrival of visitors who were perhaps not the usual type of guests we enjoy.
A large group of ‘travellers’ arrived in town and took over the Quay Street car park with their vehicles – caravans, motorhomes, 4x4s and other vehicles and lorries.
They set up camp and out came the cooking gas cylinders, the washing and a miscellany of camping gear. The thought of paying for their parking apparently did not occur to them, even when attendants started issuing parking tickets.
Come Monday, the parking attendants were somewhat miserable, as were the Harbour Commission bosses and many residents who found themselves unable to park and go town centre shopping. There was an impasse – although parking had not been paid for and parking fines issued, there is a 30-day period for the fine to be paid. It seems this 30-day period essentially prevents any positive action.
In the meantime, the financial well-being of Whitehaven is a little stressed at the moment and shoppers were being very much inconvenienced, to the cost of the shops of our fair town centre.
One could properly claim that the economic climate of the town was being quite badly affected, let alone the Harbour Commissioners’ cash flow. Parking fees were being not paid and a number of businesses and residents were being hit. A job for the guardians of the peace? No – the police would not help because there was no criminal activity and because, apparently, the dilemma was on “private” ground and the law did not “allow” them to resolve the problem. If I were the Chief Constable I think I might be inclined to ask my officers how they reached their blinkered decision.
This stupid situation continued for a few days and then, travellers’ business completed, they decamped and disappeared off the scene by Thursday morning.
Hopefully through the wonders of the EU those parking fines will follow, tracked by vehicle registration plates, and payment will be extracted, with costs – just as an acquaintance of mine was obliged to pay for an Italian parking fine upon return here to the UK.
The community is getting a little impatient as our councils flounder between consultants and sub-contractors, in the shallows of a thin economy. Opinions are being voiced about the current depressing problems of empty shops, poor maintenance and ineffectiveness or otherwise of cabinet councillors and their senior employees to make a difference.
In the case of our visitors the council moved quickly – to ensure that our uninvited guests were not in need and that their requirements were catered for, perhaps with fresh water, toilets, skips and the like.
If only CBC would react as quickly elsewhere, like the Market Place, the street market, on anti-litter enforcement, the Beacon restaurant, replying to correspondence etc...
From the outside it would appear that strong, experienced leadership is required, both in the political arena and the public service sector of Copeland Council. One sees valued officers departing CBC and hears about the lack of confidence on the office floors. Out in the private sector alarm bells would be ringing and head office would be asking questions and demanding positive action. Well, we the community, are ‘head office’ and should be demanding answers and action – so let’s demand away.
An internet search reveals all you need to know to contact Copeland Borough Council, Members of Parliament and MEPs, together with procedure should they fail to acknowledge or respond to sensible requests for information or action. They all have budgets in which postage plays a large part and e-mail is even cheaper.
This information is all in the public domain, but to save time here are some useful addresses: for your MP and MEP see www.upmystreet.com and to communicate with CBC and councillors see www.copelandbc.gov.uk
Should any government or public service fail to respond within ‘ a reasonable period’ then there is the right to ask the assistance of the Ombudsman. For that avenue all you need to know is detailed on www. ombudsman.org.uk. Oh, and if you did not vote in any of the last elections – sort yourself out, you are part of the problem!
