Just a few more comments on the borough council's proposed economies.
Suspending the Party in the Park will apparently save £82,000 (strange that it only cost £25,000 a couple of years ago but that's inflation for you!) Apparently there is potential to reinstate the event in 2010/11, but it will be subject to review.
The party was originally staged to mark the millennium, but the then ruling regime had a childish love of fireworks and for some reason decided to run it year in, year out.
It has long since passed its sell-by date, and in this day and age it seems impossibly stupid to think that any council in its right mind would resume blowing so much money on a booze-up (and incidentally having the hypocrisy to rescind its own by-laws on drinking in public places in order to do so.
But then, impossibly stupid ... council not in its right mind ... hypocritical ... are all words often associated with the current ruling party.
It also seems that a £2 million investment will bring the popular and conveniently located Geoff Moulder Leisure Centre into the 21st century, which makes us wonder why on earth the borough continues pouring even vaster sums into the unpopular PRSA when it has it failed so spectacularly to deliver its promises either to the disabled or the rest of the local sporting community.
Continuing to fund it as a competitor to the Moulder Centre would seem to be downright stupid.
But then .....
We're told that the biggest saving – £723,000 – will come from "restructuring and staffing proposals."
Chief executive Mick Gallagher has told the local papers that this will mean there will be some redundancies but that they would be kept to a minimum.
It's a bleak day when anyone when loses their job but it has become a sad fact of life in recent months.
The private sector is pragmatic in this respect, and cuts as many jobs as it takes to stop the rot.
To say that redundancies will be kept to a minimum implies that more might be made but are not for the sake of kindness.
It's the equivalent of being told by your surgeon "we could have removed the whole cancer, but kept it down to a minimum."
And finally, another £481,000 is expected to be saved by raising additional income and finding new funding. One idea is to increase the cost of parking for season ticket holders, and to start charging staff and councillors.
We think that season ticket holders should not be used as a cash cow in this way - it could rebound on the council's income in unexpected ways.
As far as charging staff and councillors is concerned .... why on earth were they ever exempted in the first place?
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This blog also appears on the Daily Telegraph site at http://my.telegraph.co.uk/boston_eye/
Friday, November 28
Thursday, November 27
Boston Stump is obvious home for tourist information
Boston Borough Council has declared that tough economic conditions mean it must keep costs down and make £1.8 million savings in the next financial year.
Boston is not alone in its plight - East Lindsey District Council estimates it will have a £2.5m shortfall, Lincoln £1.5m, West Lindsey at least a £500,000 shortfall, and North Kesteven slightly less than £500,000.
Boston has made a number of proposals for savings, and we will look at them over the next couple of days.
Two key areas are the Guildhall, where savings of £15,000 are proposed by revising opening hours from Wednesday to Saturday and allocating Monday and Tuesday for schools.
At the hapless Haven £27,000 will be clawed back through cutting opening on three days only and moving the Tourist Information Centre to the Guildhall.
Poor old TIC!
A move to the Guildhall sounds like a recipe for disaster - particularly in view of the proposed opening times, and the problems for visitors needing help on a schools-only day. Bear in mind also that the Guildhall is only open by appointment across the winter, and it will be an almost forgotten place by the start of the next financial year.
Here's a idea for free.
Next year sees the 700th anniversary of Boston Stump which is being marked with major celebrations and a huge number of events.
Why not see if it is possible to have some space in the Stump's shop/cafe area to house tourist information?
The present arrangement at the Haven is lacklustre to say the least, but is not exactly a great user of space.
A move to the Stump would place tourist information at the heart of the town's main attraction and be a hugely beneficial place from which to promote the area.
Who knows, it could even be run on a voluntary basis as has been done in other areas, and save even more money.
Your opinions, please.
Write to boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mail will be treated in confidence if requested.
Boston is not alone in its plight - East Lindsey District Council estimates it will have a £2.5m shortfall, Lincoln £1.5m, West Lindsey at least a £500,000 shortfall, and North Kesteven slightly less than £500,000.
Boston has made a number of proposals for savings, and we will look at them over the next couple of days.
Two key areas are the Guildhall, where savings of £15,000 are proposed by revising opening hours from Wednesday to Saturday and allocating Monday and Tuesday for schools.
At the hapless Haven £27,000 will be clawed back through cutting opening on three days only and moving the Tourist Information Centre to the Guildhall.
Poor old TIC!
A move to the Guildhall sounds like a recipe for disaster - particularly in view of the proposed opening times, and the problems for visitors needing help on a schools-only day. Bear in mind also that the Guildhall is only open by appointment across the winter, and it will be an almost forgotten place by the start of the next financial year.
Here's a idea for free.
Next year sees the 700th anniversary of Boston Stump which is being marked with major celebrations and a huge number of events.
Why not see if it is possible to have some space in the Stump's shop/cafe area to house tourist information?
The present arrangement at the Haven is lacklustre to say the least, but is not exactly a great user of space.
A move to the Stump would place tourist information at the heart of the town's main attraction and be a hugely beneficial place from which to promote the area.
Who knows, it could even be run on a voluntary basis as has been done in other areas, and save even more money.
Your opinions, please.
Write to boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mail will be treated in confidence if requested.
Wednesday, November 26
Sport - no-one gives a toss!
Big stuff on the menu at Boston Borough Council this evening.
The Cabinet - that collection of the great and the wood of the Bypass Independents - is looking at the Community Sports Strategy and Options Appraisal for the borough and the preferred hybrid private sector trust option for its operation.
Hopefully, this would mean the ratepayers might eventually wash their hands of the terrible financial drain that the PRSA has imposed on us all - though it looks as if if it does happen, it may not be for some time.
Frankly, we think that the majority of the borough's population cares little if at all about sports provision in the area - but someone will doubtless tell us that we are wrong.
Elsewhere, a report shows usage statistics for the PRSA.
It appears to show a decline in casual usage, and many classes with attendance rates of less than 20%
We know that the PRSA is an inherited problem, but that doesn't mean the council has to continue to support it.
It is clearly an albatross around the neck of the taxpayer, and the sooner the ancient mariners on the BBI drop it into the ocean, the better.
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mail will be treated in confidence if you request it.
The Cabinet - that collection of the great and the wood of the Bypass Independents - is looking at the Community Sports Strategy and Options Appraisal for the borough and the preferred hybrid private sector trust option for its operation.
Hopefully, this would mean the ratepayers might eventually wash their hands of the terrible financial drain that the PRSA has imposed on us all - though it looks as if if it does happen, it may not be for some time.
Frankly, we think that the majority of the borough's population cares little if at all about sports provision in the area - but someone will doubtless tell us that we are wrong.
Elsewhere, a report shows usage statistics for the PRSA.
It appears to show a decline in casual usage, and many classes with attendance rates of less than 20%
We know that the PRSA is an inherited problem, but that doesn't mean the council has to continue to support it.
It is clearly an albatross around the neck of the taxpayer, and the sooner the ancient mariners on the BBI drop it into the ocean, the better.
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mail will be treated in confidence if you request it.
Tuesday, November 25
Another opportunity wasted
Ironically, as the election of a BNP councillor raises the R-word among local politicians, the effects of immigration on Boston are highlighted by both Boston Borough Council and Lincolnshire Police.
The borough is chortling about the launch of a voluntary code on employing migrant workers after Boston played "a key role" in highlighting the issue of improving working conditions in the food sector.
The code is a guide to recruiting, employing and facilitating the integration of migrant workers into the UK, and was developed by one of Prince Charles's charities - Business in the Community's Migrant Worker Integration Group - after a "Seeing is Believing" visit (don't you just love these little titles?) to Boston in 2006.
Chief Executive Mick Gallagher said raising employment standards in this sector would help raise employment standards for all workers, and was very important for the area.
What the borough omits to say is that whilst Boston's population was 57,000 seven years ago, 15,000 migrants have settled here since - and the borough is now home to more than 30 nationalities.
The BiTC report says: "The transient nature of migrants and the lack of public funding (which is allocated on the basis of historic figures) has caused severe problems for Boston Borough Council in dealing with this influx, including the challenges of integrating different cultures and backgrounds."
"While migrants bring a number of benefits, such as raising economic output and filling labour shortages and skill gaps, they also pose a number of challenges for example in relation to community cohesion and the provision of adequate housing and services.
"Overseas migration into rural communities on the scale currently experienced is an unprecedented phenomenon and one to which the local community is, in many cases, struggling to adapt."
The study says there has been a 186% growth in migrant workers in rural areas since 2002, including at least 116,000 Eastern Europeans in 2006/07 alone.
"In many instances, rural communities in these areas lack the necessary resources, skills and infrastructure to adapt to the growing migrant population."
Not that long ago, we seem to recall that Boston's leaden leadership (both civilian and elected) was promising to use statistics like this to persuade the government to boost local budgets. There is certainly a forceful argument that the "historic" population-equals-funding policy should not lag as far behind as it does at present, giving Boston a pay rise that recognises its migrant influx and pays for the ensuing infrastructure costs.
Instead they just accept plaudits (and maybe the odd gong in the New Year honours list) and ignore a persuasive and royally-backed argument for local funding enhancements from the government, which would do much to bale out the council's sagging finances. Another opportunity missed.
Meanwhile, Lincolnshire Police, whilst apparently getting the brush-off from minister Vernon Coaker, whom they met last week to renew their pleas for more money, have announced that translation services covering 49 different languages cost more than £300,000 a year.
The bill of more than £190,000 since April averaged £900 a day, and cost £317,421 between April 2007 and 2008.
"We have a duty to victims and witnesses and to ensure that alleged offenders receive fair treatment under the criminal justice system - this can only be achieved through clear communication," said a police spokesman, who added: "Lincolnshire Police is conscious of the financial implications of interpretation services, and is determined to provide these in the most cost effective way possible."
Lincolnshire Police are famous for spending beyond their means, and we note that the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, which one might imagine would have a similar - if not greater -demand for interpreters, spent just £6,200 on translation in the same period.
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence if requested.
The borough is chortling about the launch of a voluntary code on employing migrant workers after Boston played "a key role" in highlighting the issue of improving working conditions in the food sector.
The code is a guide to recruiting, employing and facilitating the integration of migrant workers into the UK, and was developed by one of Prince Charles's charities - Business in the Community's Migrant Worker Integration Group - after a "Seeing is Believing" visit (don't you just love these little titles?) to Boston in 2006.
Chief Executive Mick Gallagher said raising employment standards in this sector would help raise employment standards for all workers, and was very important for the area.
What the borough omits to say is that whilst Boston's population was 57,000 seven years ago, 15,000 migrants have settled here since - and the borough is now home to more than 30 nationalities.
The BiTC report says: "The transient nature of migrants and the lack of public funding (which is allocated on the basis of historic figures) has caused severe problems for Boston Borough Council in dealing with this influx, including the challenges of integrating different cultures and backgrounds."
"While migrants bring a number of benefits, such as raising economic output and filling labour shortages and skill gaps, they also pose a number of challenges for example in relation to community cohesion and the provision of adequate housing and services.
"Overseas migration into rural communities on the scale currently experienced is an unprecedented phenomenon and one to which the local community is, in many cases, struggling to adapt."
The study says there has been a 186% growth in migrant workers in rural areas since 2002, including at least 116,000 Eastern Europeans in 2006/07 alone.
"In many instances, rural communities in these areas lack the necessary resources, skills and infrastructure to adapt to the growing migrant population."
Not that long ago, we seem to recall that Boston's leaden leadership (both civilian and elected) was promising to use statistics like this to persuade the government to boost local budgets. There is certainly a forceful argument that the "historic" population-equals-funding policy should not lag as far behind as it does at present, giving Boston a pay rise that recognises its migrant influx and pays for the ensuing infrastructure costs.
Instead they just accept plaudits (and maybe the odd gong in the New Year honours list) and ignore a persuasive and royally-backed argument for local funding enhancements from the government, which would do much to bale out the council's sagging finances. Another opportunity missed.
Meanwhile, Lincolnshire Police, whilst apparently getting the brush-off from minister Vernon Coaker, whom they met last week to renew their pleas for more money, have announced that translation services covering 49 different languages cost more than £300,000 a year.
The bill of more than £190,000 since April averaged £900 a day, and cost £317,421 between April 2007 and 2008.
"We have a duty to victims and witnesses and to ensure that alleged offenders receive fair treatment under the criminal justice system - this can only be achieved through clear communication," said a police spokesman, who added: "Lincolnshire Police is conscious of the financial implications of interpretation services, and is determined to provide these in the most cost effective way possible."
Lincolnshire Police are famous for spending beyond their means, and we note that the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, which one might imagine would have a similar - if not greater -demand for interpreters, spent just £6,200 on translation in the same period.
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence if requested.
Monday, November 24
BNP hits back at critics
Boston's newest councillor, David Owens, has replied to Scanner's
observations on the recent BNP victory in Fenside.
" I have taken the liberty to keep a copy of every leaflet used in the campaign,
" I have taken the liberty to keep a copy of every leaflet used in the campaign,
and will therefore 'get a few things straight.'
Our first leaflet was the commonly used "people like you voting BNP" that is used to introduce the BNP and its stance on three key issues, all of which affect local people just as much as people throughout Britain.The second leaflet used was entitled “let’s get a few things straight” which carried my photo and a question box on its reverse, this carried also the PO box of Louth, simply as we do not have a group in Boston and therefore no PO box!
The third leaflet, known as the £12,000, spoke of the BBI issues and the cost of this by-election to a cash strapped council, therefore the taxpayer. It made very clear in its content, that this election will not change who runs Boston council, but it will send a firm message to both the council and the Government that the electorate want something better. The reverse of this leaflet spoke specifically of concerns raised by residents from Carlton Road bungalows and detailed six other issues people consider important to them. It included adding my support to pressure the Conservative County Council to act on a by-pass. I wrote a letter to postal voters, along with a letter to people who were still undecided or indeed were considering their voting options.
The next leaflet was a national leaflet “we’ve all had enough” which re-affirmed issues that affect every citizen, local or not.
This was followed by an eve of poll reminder of the choices the electorate had on polling day, followed by a few national “remember to vote” leaflets and a couple of locally produced “remember to vote” leaflets.
Only the national leaflets are used elsewhere, the locally produced are specific to this election.
I think it was fair to say the when the electorate cast their vote for me, they cast it from a well informed position on issues that affect them locally and nationally.
With regard to comments of flooding the area on election day, I think your “informant” may have been confused with the BBI group, or perhaps the Conservatives, or could it have been the Liberal Democrat who turned up on polling day with a loud hailer on his car.
On election day their were five of us out and about, three of whom are local and two from the East Midlands region. As the day progressed and evening arrived a further two people came to lend a hand as tellers at the polling stations. And some friends and fellow supporters from around Lincolnshire turned up at for the count, Not quite a flood!
As for the use of a mini bus, I think you might ask the BBI candidate if he will be including its hire in his election expenses as it was his voters who were being bussed in, using some of the children from Fenside to rally up the vote from the migrant worker part of the ward! I think we could call him the pied piper of Fenside!
This election was won, quite simply because “WE SAY WHAT PEOPLE THINK” , What the other parties do not like is that is exactly what the ELECTORATE WANT!
Now I will get on with representing ALL residents of the Ward and Borough, irrespective of background, nationality, race, creed, colour, religion, or political affiliation. I still await a reply from Mark Simmonds MP, assuring me and at least 43% of the constituents of Fenside who voted for me, that he will represent us in the same manner that I am called to represent my ward constituents. So far he is refusing to speak to a “wasist” party - as detailed below.
From: David Owens Sent: 15 November 2008 01:56
To: SIMMONDS, MarkSubject: Please expand!
Quote “Mark Simmonds, Tory MP for Boston and Skegness, warned: 'The BNP are a threat to our country, who contribute nothing.'” Unquote
Mark, are you really implying that members of the BNP “contribute nothing”? Are you also by default, implying that those who Vote for the BNP “contribute nothing”? Would you be so kind as to explain what you meant in your press comments and therefore give me the right to reply.
Kindest regards
David Owens
From: SIMMONDS, Mark Sent: 19 November 2008 17:33
To: David Owens
Subject: RE: Please expand!
Mr Owens,Further to your email about my comments in the newspapers I do not approve of, nor do I intend to debate with, a political party whose fundamental policy tenant (sic) is racism.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Simmonds MP Boston and Skegness
From: David Owens Sent: 19 November 2008 23:04
To: 'SIMMONDS, Mark
Subject: RE: Please expand!
Mr Simmonds MP, In reply, how very ill informed, narrow minded and indeed un-democratic of you. Perhaps it’s that stance that led to your fellow conservative candidate failing in such spectacular fashion last week.Your response simply confirms how views such as yours, has led this once great country down the road of self destruction. I look forward to meeting you at one of your surgeries, where I will be more than happy to challenge you and your views, which as a parliamentary constituent, I am entitled to do. I would like to remind you sir, that I have the same rights as all of your constituents irrespective of whether you approve of my views or not!. And it would be grossly unfair of you to discriminate against me on that basis. Incidentally as is so typical with you Westminster “types” YOU have not answered the question! You owe an explanation of your comment to at least the 43% of the constituents on Fenside who voted for the British National Party last week, don’t you?
Regards
Cllr David Owens
Now that should “put a few thing’s straight!
David Owens Cllr Fenside Ward "
"Your report of the Fenside election by ‘Scanner’ is totally inaccurate and a little on the sour grapes side. Minibus was actually BBI I believe - it certainly was not ours. Leaflets did have local issues. Agree not on all seven, but on some - details of David Owens were on leaflet two if my memory is right; flooding the area on election day (a trickle more than a flood.) No locals? There were as many from Boston as elsewhere on election day. The by-pass was mentioned on leaflets but is an issue most agree is required.
"The real answer as to why we won was quite simply we worked harder and spoke to people - something the others don’t quite seem able to do.
"The next elections are in June not May as you state and yes I expect the BNP will win county seats next year.
"Boston has been waiting for a serious party to get organised in the area.
"People even voted UKIP before in Boston with some sizable votes.
"As for the BBI they were very confident in the morning, but the mood changed hour by hour as it was obvious we were going to win.
"Labour were not seen, which amazed me as it’s a ward they held not so long ago.
"The BBI were poor until election day but too little too late; imprint were incorrect on leaflets and posters.
"Lib Dem was poor as Labour and UKIP not even a leaflet. The Tories put the second biggest effort in but its just not a Tory area on Fenside.
"David Owens will make a good councillor, and I am sure will only be the first of several BNP councillors."
Write to Boston Eye at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mail will be treated in confidence if requested.
Friday, November 21
Wow! A view of the Hussey Tower
Boston Eye's waffle of the week award goes to Boston College principal Sue Daley.
Talking of a £79 million plan for a new "state-of-the-art" campus, she says: "We don't just want an iconic building. We want a college which values and enriches its local communities and businesses and which encourages them to be ambitious, fulfilled and successful."
We hope that means something a little more ambitious in the courses and qualifications currently offered, as they are pretty low brow to say the least.
The college is looking to the Learning and Skills Council for funding to the tune of around £60 million, and the building will have distinctive features such as waves, bubbles and "ship's spars" to acknowledge the town's maritime heritage. Not even approved, and already it sounds like a triumph of style over substance.
If it goes ahead it will feature a rooftop restaurant with views of two of what the Boston Target calls Boston's great landmarks – the Stump (no argument from us there) and Hussey Tower (is that the best we can do?)
A glass-fronted shopping mall-style building in the grounds of the Skirbeck Road campus will include shops run by students – such as a salon for the hair and beauty department.
Principal Daley says: "We want to provide our students with hi-tech cutting-edge technology."
New scissors all round for the hairdressing class then?
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mail will be treated in confidence if requested
Talking of a £79 million plan for a new "state-of-the-art" campus, she says: "We don't just want an iconic building. We want a college which values and enriches its local communities and businesses and which encourages them to be ambitious, fulfilled and successful."
We hope that means something a little more ambitious in the courses and qualifications currently offered, as they are pretty low brow to say the least.
The college is looking to the Learning and Skills Council for funding to the tune of around £60 million, and the building will have distinctive features such as waves, bubbles and "ship's spars" to acknowledge the town's maritime heritage. Not even approved, and already it sounds like a triumph of style over substance.
If it goes ahead it will feature a rooftop restaurant with views of two of what the Boston Target calls Boston's great landmarks – the Stump (no argument from us there) and Hussey Tower (is that the best we can do?)
A glass-fronted shopping mall-style building in the grounds of the Skirbeck Road campus will include shops run by students – such as a salon for the hair and beauty department.
Principal Daley says: "We want to provide our students with hi-tech cutting-edge technology."
New scissors all round for the hairdressing class then?
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mail will be treated in confidence if requested
Thursday, November 20
Time to put up or shut up!
Whilst there is not much to be gained from criticising individual members of Boston Borough Council, we have to say that our patience is being sorely tried by Councillor Anne Dorrian of the Better Boston Group.
Her reaction to the emphatic election of a British National Party candidate in the Fenside ward is to tell the Boston Standard that it represents the political equivalent of "laying face down in a pig sty eating muck."
She prefaces this unladylike observation by saying that the two recent by-elections have sent a clear message to the BBI leadership - which is to resign.
Readers may recall that the first of these by-elections was a direct result of actions by Councillor Dorrian which led to the conviction of a BBI councillor for drinking and driving, followed by his inevitable resignation.
She blames the Fenside result on the "weak and incompetent" BBI leadership.
Councillor Dorrian was once a proud standard bearer for that self-same leadership.
She fell out over what some say was nothing more than a technicality, and with colleagues set up the self-styled Better Boston Group.
Since then this third largest party on Boston Borough Council has said and done nothing except to sneer from the sidelines.
The group did not choose to mount a challenge at either of the recent by-elections - doubtless because it knew that the result would have made it a laughing stock.
And whilst quick to demand the departure of others, Councillor Dorrian has ignored calls for her own resignation after riding to victory on one party's bandwagon - then jumping ship whilst refusing to see whether the electors still wish to give her their mandate.
And in 2005, she famously changed her mind about standing as an independent by-pass campaigner at the General Election when she learned that the candidacy would mean resigning her post with the County Council.
In the meantime, we are treated to her inconsequential ramblings in a column in the Standard which began as a newly-elected councillor's take on life in West Street, but which over time has become an unnecessary (and at times quite unpleasant) intimate memoir of interest scarcely to anyone other than its author.
Are we alone in thinking that it's time for Councillor Dorrian to put up or shut up?
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mail will be treated in confidence if requested.
Her reaction to the emphatic election of a British National Party candidate in the Fenside ward is to tell the Boston Standard that it represents the political equivalent of "laying face down in a pig sty eating muck."
She prefaces this unladylike observation by saying that the two recent by-elections have sent a clear message to the BBI leadership - which is to resign.
Readers may recall that the first of these by-elections was a direct result of actions by Councillor Dorrian which led to the conviction of a BBI councillor for drinking and driving, followed by his inevitable resignation.
She blames the Fenside result on the "weak and incompetent" BBI leadership.
Councillor Dorrian was once a proud standard bearer for that self-same leadership.
She fell out over what some say was nothing more than a technicality, and with colleagues set up the self-styled Better Boston Group.
Since then this third largest party on Boston Borough Council has said and done nothing except to sneer from the sidelines.
The group did not choose to mount a challenge at either of the recent by-elections - doubtless because it knew that the result would have made it a laughing stock.
And whilst quick to demand the departure of others, Councillor Dorrian has ignored calls for her own resignation after riding to victory on one party's bandwagon - then jumping ship whilst refusing to see whether the electors still wish to give her their mandate.
And in 2005, she famously changed her mind about standing as an independent by-pass campaigner at the General Election when she learned that the candidacy would mean resigning her post with the County Council.
In the meantime, we are treated to her inconsequential ramblings in a column in the Standard which began as a newly-elected councillor's take on life in West Street, but which over time has become an unnecessary (and at times quite unpleasant) intimate memoir of interest scarcely to anyone other than its author.
Are we alone in thinking that it's time for Councillor Dorrian to put up or shut up?
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mail will be treated in confidence if requested.
Wednesday, November 19
Calling time on the PCSOs?
Tonight's meeting of Boston's Policy Development Committee is being asked to recommend ending further funding of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams with effect from 2008/2009 or continue for just one more year after which any future funding will be subject to a full review of the impact of the cessation of the funding by other agencies, particularly the County Council, at the end of 2009/2010.
A report says that over the last three years Boston Borough Council has contributed £81,200 which, with the contribution from Lincolnshire County Council has lead (sic) to an extra 59 PCSOs in Lincolnshire, nine of them in the borough.
In Boston there are currently 15 full time and 1 part time PCSOs, in five different teams - more than double the number before the borough's contribution, with each PCSO earning around £20,000.
The neighbourhood policing teams run 11 panels dealing with community concerns and issues; enforce the town centre booze ban and issue litter tickets. They deal with low scale anti-social behaviour, including neighbourhood disputes, and problems with young people. They also work with other agencies to investigate and gather evidence for ASBOs, visit community groups, schools and other organisations and gather information and intelligence "to assist in police operation and tension monitoring. "
Lincolnshire Police - motto: "refero vel capiemus viaticus usquam" (pay up or we'll take the money anyway") - wants another £30,400 for 2009/10 and say they anticipate yearly recurring requests for funding from councils if the neighbourhood policing teams are to continue in the present form.
If Boston Borough Council refuses more funding, the police say it would mean the loss of at least one PCSO post. The report concludes that the council has financially supported and worked closely with the neighbourhood policing teams over the past three years and also contributes significantly towards ensuring Boston is a safe place - for example the council fully funds the cost of the CCTV service at about £290,000 a year. It also provides a community safety team at a cost of £172,000. The report says funding the PCSO’s would need extra money which is not in budget proposals for 2009/2010, and adds that the loss of one PCSO would not be a significant. We think that PCSOs are mostly cosmetic in the war on crime, and about as much use as a chocolate teapot. We know people in various areas of the borough who have seldom - if ever - seen their PCSO, and commonsense says this is a saving that the council could and should easily make. However, ewe suspect the decision will be to fall in with the Council Council ... it usually is!
Whilst this item is thoroughly, not to say verbosely, written up, the same cannot be said for item 9 on the agenda - " Assembly Rooms Options Going Forward."
Apparently this matter is so sensitive that the press and public will be thrown out the the meeting so that it can be discussed away from our grubby ears.
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence if requested.
A report says that over the last three years Boston Borough Council has contributed £81,200 which, with the contribution from Lincolnshire County Council has lead (sic) to an extra 59 PCSOs in Lincolnshire, nine of them in the borough.
In Boston there are currently 15 full time and 1 part time PCSOs, in five different teams - more than double the number before the borough's contribution, with each PCSO earning around £20,000.
The neighbourhood policing teams run 11 panels dealing with community concerns and issues; enforce the town centre booze ban and issue litter tickets. They deal with low scale anti-social behaviour, including neighbourhood disputes, and problems with young people. They also work with other agencies to investigate and gather evidence for ASBOs, visit community groups, schools and other organisations and gather information and intelligence "to assist in police operation and tension monitoring. "
Lincolnshire Police - motto: "refero vel capiemus viaticus usquam" (pay up or we'll take the money anyway") - wants another £30,400 for 2009/10 and say they anticipate yearly recurring requests for funding from councils if the neighbourhood policing teams are to continue in the present form.
If Boston Borough Council refuses more funding, the police say it would mean the loss of at least one PCSO post. The report concludes that the council has financially supported and worked closely with the neighbourhood policing teams over the past three years and also contributes significantly towards ensuring Boston is a safe place - for example the council fully funds the cost of the CCTV service at about £290,000 a year. It also provides a community safety team at a cost of £172,000. The report says funding the PCSO’s would need extra money which is not in budget proposals for 2009/2010, and adds that the loss of one PCSO would not be a significant. We think that PCSOs are mostly cosmetic in the war on crime, and about as much use as a chocolate teapot. We know people in various areas of the borough who have seldom - if ever - seen their PCSO, and commonsense says this is a saving that the council could and should easily make. However, ewe suspect the decision will be to fall in with the Council Council ... it usually is!
Whilst this item is thoroughly, not to say verbosely, written up, the same cannot be said for item 9 on the agenda - " Assembly Rooms Options Going Forward."
Apparently this matter is so sensitive that the press and public will be thrown out the the meeting so that it can be discussed away from our grubby ears.
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence if requested.
Tuesday, November 18
Scanner casts eye on BNP campaign
Now that that the dust has settled, people are collecting their thoughts on last week's British National Party victory in the Fenside ward of Boston. Here, our regular contributor Scanner offers his take on: "The BNP Guide On How to Win A By- Election."
- Save money by distributing a leaflet that makes no mention of a single local issue (don’t mention a by-pass!!!!)
- Make your contact point a PO Box no. in a distant town. This leaflet can then be used nationwide with little alteration. (See next point.) It also means you don’t get any awkward phone calls.
- Give no details of the candidate but his name.
- Print several questions each beginning with “Do you feel that……. “ and then tell voters they must vote now and support you to put right these items that you feel are “wrongs.”
- Tell them yours is the only party who speaks for “the silent majority” and, with their support, will put right all those perceived injustices.
- Vilify a group of people that, on the most part, cannot answer for themselves.
- Declare that you have nothing against them and vehemently protest that those who say that you do are all liars.
- Flood the area on election day, and the days before if possible, with workers from distant cities. I don’t think my informant recognized even one local face (I know most parties bring in outside volunteers for parliamentary and county by-elections but not, usually, for a small district council election.) This will give you the advantage of appearing to be a party that has a strong local following when you have little or none at all.
- Use a mini-bus to carry voters to the polling stations. This gives ample time to “talk” to them while the bus is filled.
- Proclaim your patriotism as though it is on par with a religion and don’t forget to infer that God is on your side.
I am sure that is only some of the advice that could be given to our local parties. If they take note before next May’s County Council elections, we could see some interesting campaigns.
Seriously, as I see it, the main reasons for this result stem from:-
- The Government’s apparent lack of concern in recognizing and helping to deal with the difficulties caused by the relatively quick influx of large numbers of migrant workers.
- Relying on the long out of date population statistics used when finance is allocated to this area. The huge sums of cash needed to rescue the banks were soon found!
- As you have already mentioned, the impact the BBI has had on the council’s general reputation in the area.
- The unpopularity of the government. Where was Labour’s election team by the way? I understand that they didn’t even turn up to the election count. - Nationally, the Conservatives are doing well but at local level, the Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives seem to have sunk into obscurity.
- The energetic efforts of the BNP. They even out-campaigned the BBI who must have been confident, given their strong young local candidate and their usual brilliance at fighting elections. - The poor treatment meted out to many migrant workers by some unscrupulous landlords and employers.
But part of the reason must lie with the incomers themselves. Some of them seem oblivious to the feelings of local people and don’t seem to worry about those living around them, as well as ignoring our laws on drinking and driving. Early morning transport noise seems to be a particular issue in some areas. It may only be a minority causing these problems but the mud sticks to all and it must colour the perception of many local people.
I have one last comment to make. It concerns the statement made in the BNP’s election leaflet: “The BNP respects the right of people of all races and all creeds to their cultural religious beliefs and practises and has no wish to interfere with them.”
I ask the PO Box office in Louth: Who distributed hundreds of leaflets in an area of Boston attacking the plans of a small Muslim group who wished to set up a place of worship there? No prizes for the answer, but it wasn’t the “silent majority.”
I congratulate Councillor Owens on his election and I am sure he realises that it is an honour to be a councillor and as such he now pledges to represent EVERY resident of the borough whatever their race, colour or creed, and to offer what assistance he can to them, irrespective of his personal beliefs.
"SCANNER"
Write to us at bostoneye@googlemail.com E-mails will be treated in confidence if requested
"SCANNER"
Write to us at bostoneye@googlemail.com E-mails will be treated in confidence if requested
Skaters will need true grit!
A little bird tells us that as well as bringing ice skating to the town at the end of this month, there will also be a Saharan style touch added to the atmosphere.
You may recall that we expressed some surprise when we learned that the rink will be in the old five lamps area but not - as one might imagine - on the paved "public entertainment" area because the rink is "too big."
Instead, several market stall holders will be re-sited for the duration.
We heard that The Green was rejected as an alternative location because it would cost the council precious parking revenue.
Another alternative - the area used by the farmers' market - was rejected because it would get in the way of the buses.
And apparently, no one thought of using Central Park, which would have been an ideal location.
We reminded readers that a while ago, the council famously miscalculated when it decided to create parking for the new bus service on Fish Hill - because it hadn't measured up properly.
And we went on to speculate that the ice rink might prove impossible to locate in its planned position because the site is not level enough.
Now we hear that this has been taken into consideration, and the answer is to be to mount it on a foundation of sand.
But looking at the slope of the site, we think the job may well prove difficult if not impossible.
Stand by to find grit in all your shopping.
We're planning on setting up a stall selling keffiyeh. If it gets a bit breezy we could well make a fortune.Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence if requested.
You may recall that we expressed some surprise when we learned that the rink will be in the old five lamps area but not - as one might imagine - on the paved "public entertainment" area because the rink is "too big."
Instead, several market stall holders will be re-sited for the duration.
We heard that The Green was rejected as an alternative location because it would cost the council precious parking revenue.
Another alternative - the area used by the farmers' market - was rejected because it would get in the way of the buses.
And apparently, no one thought of using Central Park, which would have been an ideal location.
We reminded readers that a while ago, the council famously miscalculated when it decided to create parking for the new bus service on Fish Hill - because it hadn't measured up properly.
And we went on to speculate that the ice rink might prove impossible to locate in its planned position because the site is not level enough.
Now we hear that this has been taken into consideration, and the answer is to be to mount it on a foundation of sand.
But looking at the slope of the site, we think the job may well prove difficult if not impossible.
Stand by to find grit in all your shopping.
We're planning on setting up a stall selling keffiyeh. If it gets a bit breezy we could well make a fortune.Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence if requested.
Monday, November 17
BBI won't get the messaage
Boston's newest councillor, BNP member David Owens, will doubtless be at his desk today waiting to get stuck in, and to see how the powers that be plan to fit him into the scheme of things.
Between his election on Thursday night and this morning , the borough's website - after a couple of early errors - corrected the spelling of his name and issued a correct link to his new e-mail address.
Whilst council leader Richard Austin continues to "reflect" on what he calls the "serious implications" of the result, the BNP is in no doubt of them.
"The BNP campaign was fought on national issues, and on immigration in particular,” said Councillor Wayne McDermott, the BNP’s East Midlands election officer.
"There are a large number of similar wards in and around Boston, in which this result could easily be replicated. Boston therefore has the potential to become a key area for the BNP."
Doubtless someone will soon bob up to claim that the low turn out for the Fenside ward at 22.1 per-cent was not truly representative of the sort of result that would have been achieved at a general election of the council.
But we think that what we are seeing here is a repeat of what happened in May 2007, when the BBI stormed to victory.
People were clearly unhappy with the status quo - the traditional political hierarchies, with all their incompetencies and broken promises.
So they voted en masse for a party that they believed would actually do something for them.
Eighteen months on, the voters have decided that they are clearly unhappy with the Boston Bypass Independents, with all their incompetencies and broken promises, and their view of the old guard parties clearly remains unchanged.
There is a lesson here for the BBI, but we somehow doubt that they will choose to heed it.
Expect bluster and the usual political cliches concerning the BNP.
Then sit back and expect to be force fed the mixture as before.
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence if requested.
Between his election on Thursday night and this morning , the borough's website - after a couple of early errors - corrected the spelling of his name and issued a correct link to his new e-mail address.
Whilst council leader Richard Austin continues to "reflect" on what he calls the "serious implications" of the result, the BNP is in no doubt of them.
"The BNP campaign was fought on national issues, and on immigration in particular,” said Councillor Wayne McDermott, the BNP’s East Midlands election officer.
"There are a large number of similar wards in and around Boston, in which this result could easily be replicated. Boston therefore has the potential to become a key area for the BNP."
Doubtless someone will soon bob up to claim that the low turn out for the Fenside ward at 22.1 per-cent was not truly representative of the sort of result that would have been achieved at a general election of the council.
But we think that what we are seeing here is a repeat of what happened in May 2007, when the BBI stormed to victory.
People were clearly unhappy with the status quo - the traditional political hierarchies, with all their incompetencies and broken promises.
So they voted en masse for a party that they believed would actually do something for them.
Eighteen months on, the voters have decided that they are clearly unhappy with the Boston Bypass Independents, with all their incompetencies and broken promises, and their view of the old guard parties clearly remains unchanged.
There is a lesson here for the BBI, but we somehow doubt that they will choose to heed it.
Expect bluster and the usual political cliches concerning the BNP.
Then sit back and expect to be force fed the mixture as before.
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence if requested.
Friday, November 14
Would you BNP it? It's bye-bye BBI once again
The voters of Boston are nothing if not controversial.
Last night they elected the British National Party candidate to fill the vacancy in the town's Fenside ward caused by the resignation of Guy Curley after a drink driving conviction.
David Owens is the first BNP candidate to be voted on to a council in Lincolnshire.
The full result was:
- Gavin Carrington (Lib Dem) - 23
- Norman Hart (Labour) 69
- David Owens (BNP) - 279
- Paul Mould (Conservative) - 119
- Carl Smith (Boston Bypass Independents ) - 141
- Cyril Wakefield (UKIP) - 24
The vote now highlights the issue of immigration in the town, which has been simmering for years.
Mr Owens is quoted as saying: "I think the people of Fenside and the people of Boston have said tonight that immigration is at capacity here." He added that some foreign nationals working in Boston lived in conditions akin to "a third world republic," and he said he wanted better working and living conditions for all.
Boston Borough Council leader Richard "Papa Dick" Austin could fairly be described as gobsmacked. He's quoted as saying "I think this will have serious implications for Boston and I want to reflect on the implications of this result."
The day was marred by a stunt attributed to the Better Boston Group, which hadn't bothered to field a candidate for the seat. A white van was seen driving around Fenside with caricatures of four BBI figures, saying "another by-election due to BBI drink drive - don't vote BBI."
Meanwhile, the BBI also stands accused of slipping in a last minute manifesto by sending two letters to the Boston Standard. Headed "BBI: We are independent and do put Boston first" - the letters were from Councillors Ray Newell and John Storry. They dominated the letters page just the day before the election and one or two contributors have questioned whether the newspaper acted within the electoral rules in publishing it when it did.
The new look council now comprises 19 BBI members, 6 Conservatives, 4 Better Boston Group 2 Independents and 1 BNP.
We do believe that there are interesting times ahead.
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence if requested.
Thursday, November 13
Lacklustre campaign comes to a head
To the polls we go.
To Fenside - a black spot on the list of most income-deprived areas in both England and in the borough.
Half a dozen candidates are slogging it out, ranging from the usual suspects, Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat through to the British National Party and the United Kingdom Independence Party. Of course, the Boston Bypass Independents will be hoping that their record to date won't spoil their chances of retaining the seat.
And despite Fenside's need for improvement, the Better Boston Group isn't bothering to field a candidate.
Local democracy is a strange thing.
One organisation that tries to encourage more people to take an interest is called Votewise, which has dedicated a section to the Fenside ballot.
All the candidates have been invited to be involved.
Of the six, only three have offered a manifesto.
And according to Votewise two candidates - Labour and the Bypass Independent -failed even to respond to a request to take part.
What a shame that some of the people who are apparently so keen to be Fenside's next councillor, can't be bothered to take up the offer of a free platform.
Democracy may not be dead, but it's certainly quite poorly around these parts.
We'll have the results for you as soon as possible
E-mail us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Requests for confidentiality are always respected.
To Fenside - a black spot on the list of most income-deprived areas in both England and in the borough.
Half a dozen candidates are slogging it out, ranging from the usual suspects, Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat through to the British National Party and the United Kingdom Independence Party. Of course, the Boston Bypass Independents will be hoping that their record to date won't spoil their chances of retaining the seat.
And despite Fenside's need for improvement, the Better Boston Group isn't bothering to field a candidate.
Local democracy is a strange thing.
One organisation that tries to encourage more people to take an interest is called Votewise, which has dedicated a section to the Fenside ballot.
All the candidates have been invited to be involved.
Of the six, only three have offered a manifesto.
And according to Votewise two candidates - Labour and the Bypass Independent -failed even to respond to a request to take part.
What a shame that some of the people who are apparently so keen to be Fenside's next councillor, can't be bothered to take up the offer of a free platform.
Democracy may not be dead, but it's certainly quite poorly around these parts.
We'll have the results for you as soon as possible
E-mail us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Requests for confidentiality are always respected.
Wednesday, November 12
Numbers that just don't add up
We decided to do our own maths to see what sort of figures emerged for the Into Town bus service following yesterday's entry on the blog.
Last month, 21,000 people travelled on the three services, and there were 23 working days in the month.
That comes to 913 people a day using the service, which averages 304 per route per day.
Again, averaging out across the 12 hours of the service day, we get a figure of 25 passengers per hour.
Of course, we know there are time when the buses have plenty of passengers, but as we've all seen there are many timer when the buses travel empty.
Even assuming two people using a car, it takes an average of six cars an hour off the roads.
Is that worth the chaos in Strait Bargate, and the huge investment in all the bus stops around the area, which invite people to fall off and harm themselves.
One thing is certain.
There is no way that this service is a "trial."
It's obviously here to stay and there is nothing that we can do about it.
E-mail us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Requests for confidentiality are always respected.
Last month, 21,000 people travelled on the three services, and there were 23 working days in the month.
That comes to 913 people a day using the service, which averages 304 per route per day.
Again, averaging out across the 12 hours of the service day, we get a figure of 25 passengers per hour.
Of course, we know there are time when the buses have plenty of passengers, but as we've all seen there are many timer when the buses travel empty.
Even assuming two people using a car, it takes an average of six cars an hour off the roads.
Is that worth the chaos in Strait Bargate, and the huge investment in all the bus stops around the area, which invite people to fall off and harm themselves.
One thing is certain.
There is no way that this service is a "trial."
It's obviously here to stay and there is nothing that we can do about it.
E-mail us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Requests for confidentiality are always respected.
Tuesday, November 11
Let's see the figures
Councillor Ray Newell, the cabinet member for Community Safety, Enforcement and Emergency Planning, who is also fluent in Cantonese, takes critics of the BBI to task when he details his party's steps to reduce traffic congestion in Boston.
He cites the controversial Into Town bus service as one innovation which "has reduced cars on Boston's roads."
In traditional Chinese, we believe this is rendered 減少了汽車對波士頓的道路
Whilst we don't doubt that traffic will have been reduced, a large number of the passengers are clearly non-drivers who are travelling free of charge, and it would be interesting to see Councillor Newell's statement backed up by concrete survey figures, so we could determine whether the cost of the scheme is worth the effort.However, aside from continued lobbying, the BBI now seems to have ground to a halt as far as continuing the work it started to ease the town's traffic problems.
What's needed now is action in Liquorpond Street and Queen Street, where the sequencing of the traffic lights causes major problems at certain times by unnecessarily creating delays.
Drivers sit and fume as traffic snakes back from the Liquorpond Street roundabout while little or no traffic uses either Broadfield Street and George Street. And attention is also needed at the junction with Fitness First and ASDA.
These are problems that can be eased, and we hope that instead of resting on its somewhat wilted laurels, the BBI gets on and does something about it.
E-mail us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Requests for confidentiality are always respected.
He cites the controversial Into Town bus service as one innovation which "has reduced cars on Boston's roads."
In traditional Chinese, we believe this is rendered 減少了汽車對波士頓的道路
Whilst we don't doubt that traffic will have been reduced, a large number of the passengers are clearly non-drivers who are travelling free of charge, and it would be interesting to see Councillor Newell's statement backed up by concrete survey figures, so we could determine whether the cost of the scheme is worth the effort.However, aside from continued lobbying, the BBI now seems to have ground to a halt as far as continuing the work it started to ease the town's traffic problems.
What's needed now is action in Liquorpond Street and Queen Street, where the sequencing of the traffic lights causes major problems at certain times by unnecessarily creating delays.
Drivers sit and fume as traffic snakes back from the Liquorpond Street roundabout while little or no traffic uses either Broadfield Street and George Street. And attention is also needed at the junction with Fitness First and ASDA.
These are problems that can be eased, and we hope that instead of resting on its somewhat wilted laurels, the BBI gets on and does something about it.
E-mail us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Requests for confidentiality are always respected.
Monday, November 10
When it's fine to be fat!
Boston was branded with its usual soubriquet in yesterday's News of the World - "our fattest town with almost a third of adults dangerously overweight."
Yet oddly enough if that IS the case why did we fail to qualify for a place among the nine areas which were today given the go-ahead to become "healthy towns" under a plan by ministers to combat obesity.
Dudley, Halifax, Sheffield, Tower Hamlets in London, Thetford, Middlesbrough, Manchester, Tewkesbury and Portsmouth will share a £30m pot.
If we are as fat as they say, we should have swallowed our pride instead of our sausages and grabbed a share of that sort of cash.
And if we're not now the fatties the papers claim, then why we don't we put the word out so that comics like the NOTW stop rubbishing the town?
E-mail us at boston.eye@googlemail.com
Yet oddly enough if that IS the case why did we fail to qualify for a place among the nine areas which were today given the go-ahead to become "healthy towns" under a plan by ministers to combat obesity.
Dudley, Halifax, Sheffield, Tower Hamlets in London, Thetford, Middlesbrough, Manchester, Tewkesbury and Portsmouth will share a £30m pot.
If we are as fat as they say, we should have swallowed our pride instead of our sausages and grabbed a share of that sort of cash.
And if we're not now the fatties the papers claim, then why we don't we put the word out so that comics like the NOTW stop rubbishing the town?
E-mail us at boston.eye@googlemail.com
Boston Eye contributor "Scanner" agrees that traders must be heard
I was, like your correspondent, ready to praise either the Chamber of Commerce or the borough council for providing an ice rink in the town on the run up to Christmas. Lincoln has had a rink for several years, paid for by the Chamber of Commerce and, at last, Boston is following suit - though it seems that here the borough council is footing the bill. Whoever is paying, I have two left feet so will not dare risk life or limb to try it out but I certainly don’t begrudge giving those that can balance on thin blades the chance to do so.
It was, also, a hopeful sign that the powers that be are reawakening as to how important Christmas could be to the town. If they had not withdrawn their support several years ago, by now we could have had a major visitor attraction for the town. In tandem with Lincoln we could have had two really great events to pull in crowds of Christmas shoppers. It is still not too late to catch up – but is the will really there? I have already said the increasingly expensive Party in the Park should be abandoned. If even half, of the near fifty thousand pounds it cost the council last year, was spent on a Christmas Fayre (or whatever we call it), with market trader goodwill and Chamber of Commerce input, we could soon have something that would be of much more value to everybody who lives, works and shops in our town - not just something that inflates the drink sales of the supermarkets and the off licenses.
Including their fiascoes with the Tourism Information Centre, the Haven, the Guildhall, the Continental Market and now the Farmers' Market, it seems that the council is just paying lip-service to their much-stated aim of attracting tourists to the town. With this latest action of, once more, upsetting the market traders, I wonder if they are going to gradually close down our biggest tourist attraction as well?
If you, like me, regularly walk through the coach station on a Wednesday, you will see at least seven or eight visiting coaches most weeks of the year, with even more in the summer months. We obviously, still have product (to use modern slang) that is enjoyed by our visitors and it is one that they feel is worth coming to see. Apparently, some coach companies run regular Wednesday excursions to the town. And, in spite of the way markets generally are contracting, ours is holding its own. Part of this must be due to the tourists that flock in on a Wednesday. They don’t have to come here. I’m sure there are at lot of places that would welcome them with open arms.
Come on councillors! You can’t blame anyone but yourselves for this. You should be thinking of ways of making the market brighter and bigger - not chipping away at the goodwill of the traders and, so, possibly causing its eventual closure – after at least seven hundred years! In future, before you have grand ideas, like running buses in Strait Bargate or putting a huge pimple in the centre of town, please consider the effect any new proposals may have on the market. Also, please put your money where your aims and objectives are and make our market and town a magnet for tourists from throughout the East Midlands. But please, oh please, make sure you take into account the views of the market traders FIRST before you publish any plans.
"SCANNER"
It was, also, a hopeful sign that the powers that be are reawakening as to how important Christmas could be to the town. If they had not withdrawn their support several years ago, by now we could have had a major visitor attraction for the town. In tandem with Lincoln we could have had two really great events to pull in crowds of Christmas shoppers. It is still not too late to catch up – but is the will really there? I have already said the increasingly expensive Party in the Park should be abandoned. If even half, of the near fifty thousand pounds it cost the council last year, was spent on a Christmas Fayre (or whatever we call it), with market trader goodwill and Chamber of Commerce input, we could soon have something that would be of much more value to everybody who lives, works and shops in our town - not just something that inflates the drink sales of the supermarkets and the off licenses.
Including their fiascoes with the Tourism Information Centre, the Haven, the Guildhall, the Continental Market and now the Farmers' Market, it seems that the council is just paying lip-service to their much-stated aim of attracting tourists to the town. With this latest action of, once more, upsetting the market traders, I wonder if they are going to gradually close down our biggest tourist attraction as well?
If you, like me, regularly walk through the coach station on a Wednesday, you will see at least seven or eight visiting coaches most weeks of the year, with even more in the summer months. We obviously, still have product (to use modern slang) that is enjoyed by our visitors and it is one that they feel is worth coming to see. Apparently, some coach companies run regular Wednesday excursions to the town. And, in spite of the way markets generally are contracting, ours is holding its own. Part of this must be due to the tourists that flock in on a Wednesday. They don’t have to come here. I’m sure there are at lot of places that would welcome them with open arms.
Come on councillors! You can’t blame anyone but yourselves for this. You should be thinking of ways of making the market brighter and bigger - not chipping away at the goodwill of the traders and, so, possibly causing its eventual closure – after at least seven hundred years! In future, before you have grand ideas, like running buses in Strait Bargate or putting a huge pimple in the centre of town, please consider the effect any new proposals may have on the market. Also, please put your money where your aims and objectives are and make our market and town a magnet for tourists from throughout the East Midlands. But please, oh please, make sure you take into account the views of the market traders FIRST before you publish any plans.
"SCANNER"
Saturday, November 8
Ice rink gives traders the cold shoulder!
We are often accused of taking too negative a line in our take on Boston.
But sadly that's because we feel there's a lot to be negative about.
Ironically, we were just about to pen a paean of praise to the ice rink attraction that's coming to town in the run-up to Christmas, when we noted the Market Place location.
So earlier today, we braved the wind blown drizzle to find out exactly where it was to be located.
We learned that it will be in the old five lamps area.
But it will not - as one might imagine - be on the paved section that's supposedly for "public entertainment" because the rink is "too big" (full marks for the borough's forward planning there then.)
Instead, we were told that a number of market stall holders will be re-sited for the duration - something that has not gone down well with those we spoke to, as they have been re-sited for the borough's convenience so many times before.
We asked some of the same questions that they had already put to the jobsworths.
Wouldn't The Green be a better location?
Sorry, that would cost the council precious parking revenue.
How about the area used by the farmers' market stalls?
Sorry, that would get in the way of the magic buses.
Apparently, no one thought of using the Central Park, which with a bit of imaginative input from the borough (oxymoron alert!!) would create a near perfect location.
One stallholder told us that the council cares nothing about moving them wherever it pleases to accommodate other attractions - but couldn't care less about the people who contribute heavily to the local revenue and create a magnet for locals and visitors alike every week of the year which brings an incalculable financial benefit.
A while ago, the council famously got it wrong when it decided to create parking for the new bus service on Fish Hill - because it hadn't measured up properly (no pun intended!!)
It would not surprise us to learn that the ice rink will not be able to be located in its planned position because the site is not level enough.
E-mail us at boston.eye@googlemail.com If you would like your contribution to be treated in confidence, your request will be honoured.
But sadly that's because we feel there's a lot to be negative about.
Ironically, we were just about to pen a paean of praise to the ice rink attraction that's coming to town in the run-up to Christmas, when we noted the Market Place location.
So earlier today, we braved the wind blown drizzle to find out exactly where it was to be located.
We learned that it will be in the old five lamps area.
But it will not - as one might imagine - be on the paved section that's supposedly for "public entertainment" because the rink is "too big" (full marks for the borough's forward planning there then.)
Instead, we were told that a number of market stall holders will be re-sited for the duration - something that has not gone down well with those we spoke to, as they have been re-sited for the borough's convenience so many times before.
We asked some of the same questions that they had already put to the jobsworths.
Wouldn't The Green be a better location?
Sorry, that would cost the council precious parking revenue.
How about the area used by the farmers' market stalls?
Sorry, that would get in the way of the magic buses.
Apparently, no one thought of using the Central Park, which with a bit of imaginative input from the borough (oxymoron alert!!) would create a near perfect location.
One stallholder told us that the council cares nothing about moving them wherever it pleases to accommodate other attractions - but couldn't care less about the people who contribute heavily to the local revenue and create a magnet for locals and visitors alike every week of the year which brings an incalculable financial benefit.
A while ago, the council famously got it wrong when it decided to create parking for the new bus service on Fish Hill - because it hadn't measured up properly (no pun intended!!)
It would not surprise us to learn that the ice rink will not be able to be located in its planned position because the site is not level enough.
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Friday, November 7
What a bunch of pi££ocks!
We've already slated the borough council's dismissive attitude to council tax payers in the way they delayed issuing refunds until the eleventh hour and hung on to claiming maximum repayments as late as possible.
So it comes as no surprise to learn than the council robbed more than 2,750 people using direct debit five days earlier than the victims expected.
In an area where earnings are so low, it is inevitable that this glittering incompetence will plunge a number of people into the red, and lumber them with eye-watering bank charges.
Not only that, but they may well find that other of their direct debits have been refused, causing problems with their creditworthiness.
How generous of the council then to say it will "consider" compensating anyone who had incurred bank charges as a result "if that is appropriate."
The Direct Debit guarantee seems to be pretty unambiguous when it says "If an error is made by the organisation or your bank or building society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your branch of the amount paid."
Obviously if that incompetence extends to further charges, there should be no question about reimbursing the victims.
What next, we wonder?
If any members of the borough's finance department would like an alternative membership to Unison, could we suggest that they point their browsers to the Clowns International website, where the organisation is celebrating its 61st anniversary, and would doubtless welcome some new and highly gifted members.
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your-mails will be treated in confidence if requested.
So it comes as no surprise to learn than the council robbed more than 2,750 people using direct debit five days earlier than the victims expected.
In an area where earnings are so low, it is inevitable that this glittering incompetence will plunge a number of people into the red, and lumber them with eye-watering bank charges.
Not only that, but they may well find that other of their direct debits have been refused, causing problems with their creditworthiness.
How generous of the council then to say it will "consider" compensating anyone who had incurred bank charges as a result "if that is appropriate."
The Direct Debit guarantee seems to be pretty unambiguous when it says "If an error is made by the organisation or your bank or building society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your branch of the amount paid."
Obviously if that incompetence extends to further charges, there should be no question about reimbursing the victims.
What next, we wonder?
If any members of the borough's finance department would like an alternative membership to Unison, could we suggest that they point their browsers to the Clowns International website, where the organisation is celebrating its 61st anniversary, and would doubtless welcome some new and highly gifted members.
Write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your-mails will be treated in confidence if requested.
Monday, November 3
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