The Ulverston Town Council are enthusiastic in their support for a Tourist Information Centre in Ulverston.
They are supporting the bid of the Ulverston Coumunity Partnership (UCP) which their chairman Paul Jarvis stated to the council is designed to fail.
Despite the support from the community expressed in the 410 signature petition where 18 people have volunteered to work alongside staff from the existing TIC in order to ensure costs are low:
The council support the UCP who are saying "In the event that there were no other viable bids we offering a bid."
This means that it is not designed to be viable and takes no account of the views of the public that have expressed their concerns and willingness to be involved in a promising solution.
The public left the meeting stunned by the unwillingness of the council to engage with this issue other than in the rhetoric of meaningless words.
Cllr James Airey tried to guide the along discussion along by stating that he was adding his name to the list of volunteers and urged the counciol to take some action. Support for the UCP was all that they could manage.
With leadership like this we need to reconcile ourselves with the reality that Ulverston is heading for even more shop closures, the disappearance of our market and a town that has no aspirations for the future.
In fact clear thinking businessmen in the town believe we will become a ghost town unless the public start to assert themselves with strong leadership that begins to solve the towns problems; the prime one being our high charging car parks.
An example of the inadequacy of the council was the acceptance of two new bus shelters at the Health Centre and in the County Square with money coming from the County Council (our money). Yet the councillors weren't sure these were needed while the bus shelter at the bus station by the library which is heavily used has had a gaping hole in its roof for over a year with no signs of repair until the year 2013 as stated by Cllr Colin Williams.
Such is the state of democracy in our lazy thinking, poorly led, defeatist Ulverston.
A fair report is given in the Westmorland Gazette
Also the Evening Mail in greater detail.
9 comments:
Hi Geoff, the 2013 date for refurbishment of the victoria rd shelters is ridiculous I agree, but about 2 or three years ago I tried to get something done about the appalling state of these shelters. I ran into a brick wall, because the company that owns them, I can't remember just now, who that is, would not do anything, and that is why they are still in the state they are in. However I did manage to see a list of the schedule for repairs and it's true that Victoria road will be refurbished in 2013. Mad, infuriating but true. Maybe your polythene approach may shame them into action but I doubt it, but go ahead, at least it's doing something.
I can understand your disappointment, Geoff, but is your impression of last night's meeting coloured by expectations that you knew from the start would not be realised?
I was not stunned by the council's attitude. But I was concerned about the power of South Lakeland Council over local affairs.
I thought the members genuinely do care about the Tourist Information Centre. I can see their concern that initiatives from the general public may not have been sufficiently thought through. It could be the case that many ratepayers in Ulverston would be furious if just a few pence were added to their bill, especially for something they cared nothing about.
We had visitors from Australia a couple of years ago. Like many tourists, they never book anywhere in advance as they simply visit the local TIC everywhere they go. We always go to these centres when we are on holiday to see what's happening in the area. A good place for getting maps too. But it is expensive to run, and there are alternatives to having this, and other, information available.
I would have thought that if businesses in the town are really concerned far more support would have been forthcoming.
But do businesses care? A few days ago you had a photograph of the Market Square with the lovely flower tubs. But last Saturday when the band played and the mayor opened the Charter festival, those tubs were full of wilted dead-looking flowers. Surely the surrounding businesses could have watered them? What an impression does this give to residents and visitors alike?
After the sight of those dead flowers I really wonder why bother?
Personally, I think your costs for running the place are too low. In a different building, maybe as part of something else, might be a better proposition?
Or should the local businesses be left to sort it out themselves?
Another demonstration of how to avoid taking action...
Must have learned a thing or two from The Kendal deaf ear policy...
I am a person of action who loves Ulverston
Of course we can't wait until 2011 for the council to hold a possible meeting - ridiculous!
Roy
Gladys,
You have a point about the "lovely flower tubs" in the Market Square.
Picture coming up!
Gladys, it would seem that you've jumped to the wrong conclusion.
See the subsequent article above.
See the comment left at your flower tubs post.
If out of your concern for community and tourism, you placed some of those lovely pottery troughs in one of the most prominent places in town, I'm pretty sure you would maintain them.
If the repair jobs you (?) did in the Gill crumbled, I'm absolutely certain you would make good the damage.
Whatever we do off our own bat, we are ultimately responsible unless agreement has been made to the contrary — don't you think?
Last Saturday was an important day — band playing, awards given and speeches made. People were gathered and likely photographs taken.
You yourself made a point when you showed that photograph of a bike left by the seat, a bin too full and an advertisement board cluttering an otherwise attractive spot with tubs of bright red flowers.
The bike was only parked, the bin likely due for emptying and the board, though still present, is hardly noticeable. (Unlike certain other features on our pavements) But those depressing dead flowers remain, close to the war memorial too.
Yes, we have to be responsible for our public, goodwill actions, especially in such a prominent place.
I'm pleased that a bus shelter is being provided at the Health Centre. vulnerable people wait for the bus there.
As to the one needing repair, maybe local action needed? Is permission really needed? Is it likely to be refused?
Regarding the bus shelter at the Victoria Road bus station, the councillors throw their hands up in despair as though they can't do anything.
With their attitude of helplessness - they can't.
It could belong to a private firm. If so they will be more responsive than the remote County Council.
Not sure - haven't investigated . . . yet!
The other side of the coin is that the yobos that did the damage in the first place haven't been brought to book.
They are from our community . Aren't we responsible for keeping them in order?
You may well know someone who could do with a telling off.
Do you dare do it?
You'll be surprised sometimes the reaction.
Yes they will likely tell you to "Fuck Off" but they are also just as likely to not do it again after they've got that off their chest.
We've become afraid of talking to each other.
It works.
Re flower tubs.
I'm told that Roger Chattaway also takes pride in his work.
I've been into the pub to offer to help sort the flowers out and awaiting a phone call.
I anticipate the dead plants being removed shortly.
Post a Comment