Civic Hall and Beacon set to close - full list of shock cuts revealed

by Andrew Clarke

Last updated at 12:05, Thursday, 11 October 2012

WHITEHAVEN’S Civic Hall, Beacon museum and Tourist Information Centre are all set to CLOSE in a devastating cull of services.

Have your say

Town Crier....Well they wouldn't want to live in a dump or near a dump, would they?

Posted by It's me again on 20 October 2012 at 23:16

I have been told that at least 5 senior managers and a number of consultants who live outside Cumbria are paid extra to travel to and from and lodge in the area. Anybody from the council care to comment?

Posted by Town Crier on 18 October 2012 at 18:59

I was brought up in whitehaven from 55 to 75 and return frequently. There have been some wonderful improvements to the town, especially the marina. However I have always had a problem with the councils lack of vision. The same can be said of York where I now live. I recall years ago the attempt to demolish the 1930's band stand because it was costing money to paint every twenty years. Imagine if that policy was applied in general to the worlds great structures, barbarism I believe they call it. The council it has to be said is under a lot pf pressure to make cuts from a government of which the least said the better however the ongoing policies of the council are frustratingly insular and blinkered. Whitehaven is an architectural treasure trove but that fact is completely ignored. Look no further than the superb Italianate rococo building on the corner of Tangier Street complete with the garish sign of a kebab shop underneath or opposite to the melting weeping wedding cake of Whittles. One of the problems is allowing individuals to buy fine properties in the town centre in order to leave them to rot in the hope that eventually ten years down the line some supermarket will offer them ten times what they paid for it. This leaves festering paint stripped carbuncles all over the town, very off putting to tourists. This is where Whitehaven should really be concentrating. Its situation and history and architecture should be the envy of every corporation in the country. It has the sea on one side and the lake fells on the other and still the numbers of visitors are minimal. Some of the ways the town can improve its tourist figures are beyond basic. I cajoled some York people over there recently and we went for a coffee on a new place on the harbour. We left when after handling the soggy cardboard menu one of the ladies had tomato sauce on her trousers. the problem is the owners seem blind to the fact. The next step after replacing the menu for success is to get the paint brush out and to insist that the owners of the buildings in Whitehaven keep them maintained to an acceptable level and not leave them looking like a set from war torn East Europe circa 1946.

Posted by brian mccusker on 18 October 2012 at 13:31

Massive shame that these places are closing!!! Typical though of a labour government scheme to set something up like the beacon at Â£3million but that could never break even, more thoughts about longevity should have been considered like, hows this beast going to pay for itself, what a shame because its a beautiful building and a real highlight in the town. Also, some of the services that are looking to get cut seem pretty basic to me. All of the recycable wastes are revenue streams so if done efficiently, make money as they charge out for recycled cardboards and plastics, so that seems a bit weird. Also, cutting grass in public areas, removing public furniture in my mind is basic services that a council should provide. With the amount of council tax that each household pays, surely it should be possible to keep basic services going. It gets to the point where you start asking, "well if the council doesnt do that, what does it do"? Perhaps fancy visits to sellafield is the answer.

Posted by Aaron on 18 October 2012 at 08:22

Finally, eventually somebody here writes words of wisdom borne of reality .. thank you Freddy !
Council Tax has been frozen for two terms but due to Government 'throttling' this Council and all the others in the land, this action has backfired .. the reality is plain to see .. pay more in taxes and keep buildings and services operating or pay the same and watch services and buildings dwindle away, that's the choice.

Posted by Me again on 17 October 2012 at 22:07

Well done Rob Romano for the brilliant letter in this week's Whitehaven News. If you haven't read it yet, make sure you do. He sums the situation up perfectly, particularly in relation to the council's continued questionable relationship with and heavy reliance on the nuclear industry. As well as the issues raised in Mr Romano's letter, I've noticed recent articles pointing out that council consultants are being paid with nuclear money and that they have even appointed a head of nuclear energy and planning. The council are in a difficult position because of central government decision making but there is no doubt that decision making by senior managers and councillors has been extremely poor in recent years. We need representatives who are creative, not one trick ponies who have clearly failed in carrying out their public duties.

Posted by Degsy on 17 October 2012 at 20:44

The article states that we are welcome to inspect the accounts to see if anyone has any ideas; how do we do this?

Posted by Paul Hughes on 17 October 2012 at 19:34

It really angers me when people blame central government for these cuts. It is all about living within your means and yes Westminster is cutting it's "subsidy" to Copeland. Copeland Council do not collect enough taxes to pay for the services it provides and relies on subsidies from other parts of the UK. In tough times it is not viable to provide that subsidy. The solutions are either the council makes cuts OR the people of Copeland have to pay more tax and I am fairly certain that most people would not agree to the latter! Quite simple economics really, you can only have what you can afford.

Posted by Freddy on 17 October 2012 at 17:31

Their hands are tied. I think it's an opportunity to not complain to the local council but to take it to downing street. They, after all are responsible for these forced cuts. I do feel sorry for the local councils uk wide, taking a lot of blame for what they have no power over.

Posted by mike jewel on 17 October 2012 at 17:11

Maybe the council should stop throwing money at dead beats who refuse to work, get accommodation paid for, and all the other benefits they receive! Whitehaven town centre is now a horrible place to go to and this is all down to the council being weak!! People who get up every morning to work so they can provide for their families and pay for their rent/mortgage AND PAY THEIR TAXES!! have to suffer

Posted by Truth be told on 17 October 2012 at 15:00