Yes. Not one promise has been kept

Last Monday, Better Boston Group Councillor Brian Rush threw down this challenge to Councillor Richard Dungworth.
"I know of not one single election promise that has been kept, and Councillor Dungworth is challenged to remind me of any."
As we are sure that Councillor Dungworth will not be likely to be taking up the challenge, we thought we would take a look at the BBI's list of promises, and see for ourselves what's been done.
The BBI is not exactly famous for keeping the electors in touch, and the nearest we could come to a list of promises appeared in the one and only blog posted by the BBI on Saturday 12th May 2007 - the morning but one after the landslide election that swept the party into power.
"Boston Bypass Independents (BBI) were elected at the local elections on a manifesto of Getting Boston Moving by getting a bypass built for Boston. We were accused by our opponents of being a single issue party but the electorate soon saw through this political smokescreen, voting the old guard out and a virtually brand new council in to power.
"The BBI firmly believes in having no sacred cows, no person nor issue immune from scrutiny or criticism, and questioning all aspects of the council's work. We want to reflect the views of the electorate and promote Boston as a good place to work and live."
Then came the list of promises - so let's take a look and see how well ... or otherwise ... the BBI has done in the two and a half years that it has ruled the borough.
Short-term traffic-flow improvement. Up to a point. Turning off traffic lights here and there was an idea dreamed up by the previous administration, and has been successful. However, the coming phase of road "improvements" in Queen Street and Sleaford Road promise a year of chaos that will see millions of pounds wasted just to prove that they won't work and that Boston still needs a bypass.
A better bus service. Certainly we have more buses. The passenger figures claimed for the Into Town bus service seem to be plucked out of thin air. Nor do they seem to have had much impact in terms of persuading people to abandon their cars. And the routing of the service through Strait Bargate is indefensible. The disbenefits outweigh the benefits.
A review of car parking charges. Yes, they went up
Better public toilets. This shouldn't need to be a promise, although given the appalling state of the public loos it is an essential one. Improvements may be taking place, but we're also losing one facility.
More recycling. Yes - and about time, too.
Less litter . Our eyes tell us that this promise is not being kept.
Reducing anti-social behaviour . Again the evidence of the local court reports and crime statistics say the issue is getting worse, rather than better.
More off-street parking for residents. We think this must mean charging people for parking outside their own homes. Never a good idea, but as far as progress is concerned ... who knows?
Full investigation of the affairs of the Princess Royal Sports Arena . Ha ha ha.
After that dismal list of non achievements, the BBI pledged:
"This blog will be updated regularly to keep you informed on our progress, the latest issues and developments and also to give you the chance to comment and/or pose questions in an open forum."
Guess what? That blog was the first and the last. No further information has been forthcoming.
And the BBI's BIG promise of a bypass? Just pie in the sky.
Councillor Rush's challenge was made after a meeting of the Policy and Projects Committee. Perhaps it's no accident that in council-speak the Policy and Projects Committee is referred to by the acronym PAP.
Pap is defined by the dictionary as "worthless or oversimplified ideas."

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Week ending 27th November

Our Friday miscellany of the week's news and events
Ark at this (again) ... Last weekend's Sunday Times carried the chilling headline:- "Climate change to lash Britain with tropical storms," and a graphic showed both Boston and East Lindsey districts as two of the areas most at such risk in the future. Couple this with the news that Lincolnshire County Council plans to save a puny £47,000 by doing away with its 46 flood warning sirens, and you could be forgiven for deciding to pack your bags and leave Boston sooner rather than later. Let's hope that after its recent robust stance on the need for better flood protection that Boston Borough Council decides to oppose this inane decision, or if not to demand a replacement warning system.
Time to Stump up ... One of the few delights when one approaches Boston from a distance on these dark nights is to see the Stump brilliantly illuminated - a true beacon of the Fens. We hope that there's someone out there who can find the £300 needed to keep the lights going until Christmas. Better still, we'd like to see a sponsor to continue the year-round costs, which is terrific value in terms of tourism and image benefits benefits at less than £4,000 a year. When you think how much money is wasted by the powers that be, it shouldn't be beyond the wit of the great and the good to do something worthwhile with their cash for once.
Word from the wise ... A pseudonymous correspondent called "Lincs County" writes to say:-"Isn't it time for the good citizens of Boston to revolt and send a clear message to Council Leader Richard Austin that they will not put up with any more money wasting and poor performance from the Council. It wouldn't be so bad that they haven't delivered on their central election promise of a by pass if in the meantime they had run the council in an efficient manner. There have been a succession of independent audit reports saying how badly the Council is being run and I predict another one to come in early December - look out for the CAA report. They are throwing money away - they got rid of the chief executive for an undisclosed sum, appointed an interim chief executive for an undisclosed sum and have now created a new director post (I missed this going through the open transparent decision making process!) which they are presently advertising in select (some would say secret) locations at £87,500 (more than comparable jobs in other similar sized authorities). They rejected proposals which would have saved money through working with the neighbouring authorities - as happens elsewhere. Time to call an end to a well intended disaster." This sounds like someone who knows whereof he speaks. Keep your eyes open.
Woofless war on drugs ... Daft definitions. Boston College has given police dogs and their handlers free rein to search the campus to show drugs "will not be tolerated on the site." The police dog section carried out an operation as part of its training, and Principal Sue Daley, interestingly refers to the event as "a really positive partnership." She adds: "By advising people of the dangers and potential repercussions of drug use, we hope that this will allow us to avoid it within the college, and what's more keep the college's staff, students and visitors safe." We vehemently disapprove of drug taking which is yet another Boston blight. But we think that Ms Daley is being heavy handed and demonstrating a distrust of her wards. This is not "advice. " It is insulting every student by treating them as an addict, and using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
Lost for words ... Still with policing, we deplore the use of the word "Fest" to describe a night of crime in which seven cars were broken into around the town. It makes things sound quite light and jolly, when in fact many people are faced with big bills for damage to their cars and lost belongings. We rank the unfortunate turn of phrase alongside the now defunct term "joyriders" which was used to describe car thieves whose reckless behaviour often ended in the death of other innocent drivers or pedestrians. The inspector concerned should note that "fest" is short for "festival," which the dictionary defines as: "an occasion for feasting or celebration."
Acronym-onious debate ... Finally, after Monday's debacle which broke the news that any chance of a bypass for Boston was at least ten years away, we think that an oblique approach to the problem might be not to continue to press for a bypass, but instead to lobby for faster,improved access to Skegness for holiday visitors. Something on the lines of (say) a Coastal Rapid Access Pathway. The BBI could put its might behind such an idea, and then it could truthfully be said that "Boston Bypass Independents stand for CRAP."

You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.

A grand job - 87 times over!

With refreshing candour Boston's newest job advert for a Director of Resources & Section 151 Officer says:
"Dear Applicant.
"Boston Borough Council makes no secret of the fact that we have some challenges ahead. We are making progress but this is nowhere near where we want to be. There is no doubt we are ready for a step change in our delivery of quality services to our residents.
"We need to establish a sound base of financial stability and sustainable service improvement whilst driving down our costs and demonstrating real value for money. We are looking to enhance our management team with this senior role which will be key to securing our future. And this is where we hope you will come in, to provide inspired and determined leadership as we strive to become a better performing council, focused on working with our partners, to secure the right outcomes for local people."
The invitation to apply for this poisoned chalice is signed by Council Leader Richard Austin, Portfolio Holder for Financial Management and Corporate Governance Richard Lenton and Interim Chief Executive Richard Harbord.
Looking at the job description it has to be worth every penny of EIGHTY SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS it will pay each year, with a list of no fewer than 36 main duties and responsibilities.
Head hunting this superstar is a company called Veredus, who are "leading providers of executive recruitment, interim management and business psychology to the public, private and not-for-profit sectors," and you can read full details of the post by clicking here and then following the link to the information pack.
Interestingly, Mr Harbord was a Veredus property when he was appointed interim national director of the National Union of Students, so he clearly holds the company in some regard.
Given the use of the words "enhance" and "new" to describe the role of Director of Resources & Section 151 Officer, we assume that this is a newly created job.
"Our council is seeking a new director to take the lead across a broad portfolio of services and statutory financial responsibility for the authority.
"In challenging financial times, achieving further improvements and even greater efficiencies and value for money will be crucial to our council for our future sustainability. As Director of Resources you will be given the space to establish a new approach to efficiency and value for money that not only supports but drives transformation across the Council and the Borough.
"You will support the Chief Executive and Corporate Management Team in the development of overall Council strategies, including the Medium Term Financial Plan, the Capital Strategy and the Community Plan and policies within which effective financial management of individual services can be delivered.
"A strategic thinker, you’ll be a professionally qualified accountant with substantial senior level management experience and the ability to communicate sensitively within a political environment. You’ll have an in-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements relating to key service areas and the ability to communicate effectively with partners, stakeholders and members to secure better outcomes for our all of our customers."
The range of people the post holder is expected to liaise with is equally exhaustive (or exhausting.
"Elected Members of the Council, specifically Leader, Deputy Leader, Group Leaders and Committee Chairmen; Chief Executive and other Directors, Staff of the Directorate, Key Stakeholders in the Community, Government Departments, Peers in County-Wide Initiatives, Voluntary Organisations and Business."
It may sound cynical, but it almost seems as though the council is looking to recruit a Chief Executive elect once Mr Harbord finishes his six month stint with the borough.
The only problem with all of this is that places like Boston are famously not known as magnets for applicants of the quality being sought.
The other problem is that flinging money at high-sounding executive posts doesn't really win friends or influence people among either ratepayers of the council's long suffering staff.

You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.

Bid to bring bus debate to public

There were positives as well as negatives at this week's Policy and Projects meeting.
Alongside the news that Boston's chances of getting a bypass now rate alongside those of a snowball in hell, another item saw a move to broaden the debate on the Into Town bus service, that would give people rather than politicians a say in the scheme.
The proposal - put forward by Conservative Myles Larrington - was to hold a debate on exploring the option of having a referendum on the Into Town Bus Service.
Councillor Larrington told Boston Eye:- "I believe it is time this council starting listening to the people, and it is time for us to debate whether we need to give them their say on this issue.
"I question how effective the original consultation was, and my hope is that by exploring the option of referendum it will generate a good public debate about the pros and cons of this service.
The committee has taken the proposal on board as part of their work programme to be debated some time next year.
"I think that it is about time that people are given a real chance to have their say, not through a consultation but through the ballot box," said Councillor Larrington.
"All the council is committing to at this stage is a debate. I think that - given the clearly flawed consultation process from Lincolnshire County Council, in light of the differing opinions this issue generates - that we owe it to the people of Boston to revisit this issue again.
"My own personal view is that the public will never be content as long as this issue is merely decided by councillors.
"The consultation only really included bus users and excluded the wider public who, being frequent visitors to Strait Bargate, clearly have strong views on this. To me, Lincolnshire County Council's argument regarding most people being in favour of the service is construed, as they only consulted those using service, most of whom are clearly going to be in favour of its continuation come what may.
"My hope is that this debate will not necessarily lead to a referendum (even though I am in favor of this) but that the public will get involved again and become more informed about the real issues.
"Basically, most people are unaware that we either have to keep the service going through Strait Bargate or not have it at all. Although I oppose having buses through the centre of town, I now know that due the way the routes are constructed, Lincolnshire County Council will be fined heavily if the services are not on time. This is not possible on a half hourly schedule without using Strait Bargate.
"By having this debate, I believe that it will better inform the public and the public response to the referendum idea will be an indication of the public's view on the Into Town Bus Service itself. "I am pleased to say that when I put this to the committee, it was supported by members from all political parties. I believe, particularly in the case of this council, there are too many times when we makes decisions on behalf of the people of Boston without giving them a proper opportunity to have their say.
"I cannot see what we, as a council, have to lose from giving the public a referendum and a vote on this issue.
"At the moment, the only foreseeable problem is that Lincolnshire County Council is soon going to make the traffic orders in relation to the Into Town Bus Service permanent. As far as I am concerned, if Lincolnshire County Council is stupid enough to do this having not properly consulted the public, then clearly they will have to face the consequences of this.
"As for the issue of expense, I realise this could be an expensive option but that is something the council will have to consider in full before making a decision to go ahead with this or not."

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Bypass battle veteran quits over "negativity"

One of the longest battling campaigners for a Boston bypass has called it a day after reaction to his attempts to portray the battle in a realistic light.
Michael Borrill sent us the news in the following e-mail....
"Dear Boston Eye
"Since 2002 I have been actively involved in, first, voicing my concerns about the Southern Economic Corridor and Dock Link proposals for Boston.
"Following on from this I soon got involved with the groups pushing for a bypass for the town, and, over the years, have made my feelings known to Lincolnshire County Council, Boston Borough Council and the people of Boston through various forms of media.
"Following the election of a Boston Bypass Independent Council, it was wrongly assumed that a push would be made on Lincoln County Council to give Boston a fair share of the cake. "Unfortunately this did not happen, and we are now in a worse position concerning any road infrastructure help than under the previous administration.
"Lincolnshire County Council are now preparing the next Local Transport Plan, 3LTP, and although several towns are noted in the document, there is no mention of a bypass/distributor road for Boston.
"It is also noted that besides the above mentioned proposed roads, Lincoln City is also, together with Lincolnshire County Council, negotiating with Network Rail towards the elimination of the two rail crossings in the city. There is also discussion about the rail crossings in Spalding with a further bypass for the town. And as we know, Sleaford is also to get its rail crossing bridged by way of developer funding.
"My concern over the last few months has been the 'negative' comments I have heard in the town, and especially following the recent publication of the Ministers' remarks following his receipt of the Economic Report I had prepared. This was something that was already known, and Whitehall will only go on what is dictated by the Local Transport Plan. To get into the next period Boston must at least be in the 3LTP which is being prepared - hence my 'suggestion' that ALL our County Councillors seek a meeting with their Leader at LCC.
"I am dismayed beyond belief that the amount of backlash that has been directed against me for making this comment in the local press, which has been 'stirred up' to distract attention from the real issue which I was trying to present.
"An egoism complex springs to mind and my sympathy goes to my fellow residents of Boston, who will probably have to endure tailbacks from Johnson’ s Garden Centre on one side to The Four Crossroads on the other
"My age and health are running against me and although I have given my time and energy freely to the 'Bypass Cause' over the last seven years, the last few weeks have shown that I have little support in Boston for continuing my pursuit for a solution to our badly needed road infrastructure.
"I am, therefore, leaving the 'bypass scene' with immediate effect.
"I would like to give my sincere thanks to all those who have helped me over the last few years.
"Michael Borrill"

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