"The Matter is in Hand"
"The Matter is in Hand"
"The Matter is in Hand"
Yes it makes for a great chorus to a song for the present times. Song writeres please note.
The phrase cropped up in an email from our Town Clerk, Jayne Kendall:
In answer to my request to address the Ulverston Town Council regarding a very supportive attitude from Tom Holliday, head of the Cumbria Library Service in this area to the possibility of volunteers being stationed at the Ulverston Library rather the remote service that I understand is being proposed using Cumbria Rurals call centre at Windermere.
"So my understanding from CAB is that it is in hand, although we don't have a
date as yet."
What kind of statement is that? - Answer: the kind you get from politicians trying to fob you off.
After several exchanges of by email I get the following with copies to all Ulverston Town Councillors:
Hello.Geoff.
I can confirm that the CAB are going to come into Ulverston Town Hall and that the date will be announced shortly. I don’t know the hours that they will be operating, but at least they will be in the town.
Jayne
Now we know all the councillors can sleep soundly in their beds and not worry.
So I've been trying to find out what kind of service is in fact available:
So what has been happening in the past months?
If you try to track down Ulverston CAB on the internet there is http://www.cabsouthlakeland.org.uk/
With the statement:
"REGRETFULLY AS OF FRIDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2013, WE ARE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC AND NO LONGER OPERATE AS AN ADVICE SERVICE.
THIS APPLIES TO BOTH ULVERSTON AND KENDAL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAUX OFFICES.
IF YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF THE NEIGHBOURING CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU."
If you then phone Windermere within the stated time, Telephone: 015394 46464, you get a recorded message "there is no one available to answer you"
I have done this three times over a period of 30 minutes . Please try for yourself.
When I phone the Barrow office, I get a reply, but they know of no service in Ulverston at present. They recommend ringing Windermere. When told I get no reply they suggest they may be inundated.
My point is that this situation has been 'planned' by CASL. The Ulverston/Kendal organisation started to do this about September last year yet we now have a chaotic situation at present with councillors being told that "everything is in hand".
It clearly isn't.
It seems obvious that we need one or two councillors who are closely monitoring this essential service. Furthermore we need to follow up any alternatives that present themselves.
Don't you agree.
Since the above I have met you with John Clough a councillor who is clearly concerned and keeping track of what is happening see next post.
2 comments:
So you got your answer. They will be coming soon, date to be annouced. Have you spoken to anyone from the CAB about a date? Before you critise what essentially is just a potential venue why haven't you stated what discussions you've had with CAB about putting volunteers in the library? Why do you have to approach the council? They arn't in control of the library, that's Cumbria County surely. With county elections coming up why don't you stand as an independant on a CAB ticket? But seriously, people who may not have the information to hand can't create a date out of thin air just to please you. The service is going through tough times, with loss of finance, staff, and geographical restructuring, etc. A loss to so many in these times. These dedicated people have provided a much needed service to ulverston, and will do so again. We need them back. They are coming back. Commendable People. People who help.
V for Zoro
Thanks for your comment. I think you may have misunderstood some of my actions. And no, I won't be running for County Council but I will be recommending John Clough for West Ward. He would make a much better councillor than James Airey who I see as power mad - taking on far more than he can do well, "a smooth operator", inactive and making out he isn't. Though I have seen him doing good work eg over restricting the Roxy.
As for me I can do more with my time by asking questions. The change from CASL which ran Kendal and Ulverston could have been handled far smooth without upsetting many of the volunteers with the suspense not knowing what was happening.
Do correct me if I'm wrong.
And who are you?
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