Week ending 29th May

Friday again, and time for our weekly awards...

Silly burghers of the week awards is handed out after the committee seats allocation at last week's full council meeting was branded "another farcical element that we have to endure from 'Independent' Bypassers!" by Better Boston Group member Councillor Brian Rush
He told Boston Eye: About one hour before the last meeting, a list of Committee/panel seats for Chairs and vice Chairs was passed to Councillor Peter Bedford.
"This list was made up of seats that had not been allocated to BBI Members, and put forward to members of the opposition to fill.
"Although ordinary seats on committees are allocated, in many cases to embrace political balance, others are not subject to this balance requirement. Decision making group Chairs however are another matter -they do carry their own degree of power.
"It is expected of a good leader that he/she would normally negotiate personally with opposition group Leaders, to fairly decide who sits on what.
"But for his own very good reason, Richard Austin went through officer intermediaries to deliver the list of available positions.
"There had been a suggestion that 'care should be taken on selection.'
"Cutting to the chase, all opposition group discussed and evaluated, members were chosen and these included, Councillor Anne Dorrian, Chair of an Audit Panel, myself as Vice Chair, to Councillor Brenda Owen on Licensing.
"When the agenda was proposed in council it was for the Leader, to present the ratification of these committees.
"BUT.. he asked for two amendments to be included in the list.
"That both myself and Couoncillor Dorrian should be removed from these appointments.
"Both Opposition Leaders, Peter Bedford (Cons) and Richard Leggott (Ind) notified council that they would withdraw of all other pre selected opposition members, because it was not for the Leader to dictate opposition member selections.
"It was suggested that this item be deferred for later consideration.
"Cowardice, selfishness, attempting to manipulate, and dictatorship all in one evening.
"But who was behind this?
"I don`t think it was Austin/Jordan inspiration, I believe they could be being bullied, and the billies are winning - well for the time being anyway."
Editor's note: new readers may not be aware that both councillors Dorrian and Rush were members of the BBI and holders of senior portfolios until they split with the group and formed the BBG. This may go some way towards explaining the antics leading up to last week's actions at the Worst Street council chamber.
Major look a bit silly award of the week award goes to first citizen. Apparently there was ill-concealed delight all round at last week's borough council meeting when our new Lady Mayor inadvertently outmanoeuvred Councillor Ray (Major Ret`d) Newell, as she sabotaged his strategic attack of the left flank. An insider tells us: "As expected he once again began his habitual disguised tirade of obsessive abuse for certain members of the opposition, and just as he got into his pointless abusive stride, Councillor Richard Leggot called him up on a point of order, indicating to Madam Mayor, that the 'agenda' item should be adhered to. Madam Mayor very quietly admonished Councillor (Major Ret`d) Newell, but we don`t think he caught her comment, so standing like a sniper in the glare of the searchlight, looking very silly and alone, he glared at her....and sat down defeated. It is a shame, but all those carefully crafted insults went un-uttered, all that hot air had turned to "steam." And and did we giggle, no, of course not!"
Commiserations of the week go to Boston girl band Brit Chix, who last night failed to win through to the finals of the absurdly named Britain's got talent. Saxophonist Julian Smith , 37, and and Two Grand - singers John Neil, 76, and granddaughter Sally Lax - were the two acts voted through to Saturday's live grand finale. But we thank the girls for bringing a spark of cheer to our dreary lives - and earning Boston some good publicity for a change.
Brit Chix and the pother acts who out last night included Tippy Toes (Jackie Prescott and her dancing dog), breakdancer Fred Bowers, dancers Sugarfree, and 12-year-old song and dance act Callum Francis.
And still with Britain's Got..... our Use of English award is won by the Standard this week for telling us "The girls (Brit Chix) will now perform live in the fourth of five semi-finals..." We've heard about the game of two halves, but five "semi" finals seems to be stretching it a bit. It may be what it said in the press release, but it ain't English!


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"True colours are Brylaine blue"

The debate on allowing buses through Strait Bargate continues ...
First with more proof that public opinion opposes the idea rather than embraces it.
Fenside Councillor David Owens tells Boston Eye:-
"It is worth mentioning that during the 'debate' at full council last week, I brought up the OFFICIAL survey carried out earlier this year under the guise off BUDGET CONSULTATION.
"The detail of this consultation was made available to all elected members and within its content there is very explicit mention and firm indication of the public's view relating to buses through Strait Bargate.
"In fact the public offered comments on 41 instances, this being despite the fact that there was no specific question relating to buses on that particular public consultation.
"The total number of surveys completed was 1132 and this compares to 213 in 2007/8 and 109 in 2006/7,’
"And it's fair to say it was far more widespread and unbiased that the recent transport survey.
"The report quoted the following:'It should be noted that in order to attain a confidence level of 95%, that is, to be 95% confident that the findings can be applied to the general population of Boston, it is only necessary to have a sample of 381 (Krejce & Morgan 1970.')
"Hmmm, sounds like a pretty good response from our citizens, fair, balanced and evidently one of the most comprehensive responses from Bostonians for several years.
"To conclude, I am truly baffled as to why elected members have been so blatant in their choice to ignore public opinion expressed in a very widespread exercise in favour of accepting a smaller survey whose respondents are heavily influenced as the main benefactors of this bus service.
"True colours are shining through, and they seem to come through a kind of BRYLAINE BLUE ."

Meanwhile, campaigners opposing the use of Strait Bargate by the buses (pictured above riding roughshod over public opinion) have been told that there is the possibility of a public enquiry as making the temporary Traffic Regulation Order permanent as unloading will be prohibited on the bus lane in Bargate.
Bypass campaigner Mike Borrill tells us: "Permanent TROs are subject to the Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996, which can be seen at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1996/Uksi_19962489_en_1.htm .
"These impose various legal requirements prior to making an order, including publishing a notice of the proposals in a local newspaper; allowing potential objectors 21 days to make representations; taking other steps the authority may consider appropriate for ensuring adequate publicity is given to persons likely to be affected by any provision in the order, which may include roadside notices and delivery of letters to premises; and holding a public inquiry if the TRO would prohibit loading or unloading of vehicles (i) at all times, (ii) before 07.00 hours, (iii) between 10.00 and 16.00; or (iv) after 19.00, or if the passage of public service vehicles would be restricted. (The authority may opt to hold a public inquiry in other circumstances.")
Whether or not we will see this democratic convention adhered to is anyone's guess, as the BBI is not exactly renowned for giving the voters much of a say - unless they are saying what the BBI wants to hear.
Time will tell.

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On the buses - part 2

More thoughts on the decision to run the Into Town buses through Strait Bargate
They say that there are lies, damn lies and statistics, and we wonder which category the Council Council transport survey of the Boston Into Town bus service falls into.
The survey got off to a bad start when the period for which it was accessible to the public was reduced by 25%.
Then, Boston Eye pointed out that it was possible to complete the survey form on line as many times as you wished, which can't do much for its credibility.
Yet despite all this, Boston Borough Council Leader and chief bus conductor Richard "Papa Dick" Austin insists that this survey is more representative of public opinion than that carried out by the Better Boston Group, which set out specifically to trawl public opinion on the contentious issue of whether the buses should drive through the Strait Bargate pedestrianised area.
The BBG result showed that 72% of the 582 responses opposed the buses using Bargate.
Councillor Brian Rush, one of the organisers of the survey, declared it a resounding success.
But according to Papa Dick it was not valid, and he attacked it for being carried out on one day and in the same place.
The day in question was a market day, which seems a very good day to pick as the town is at its busiest.
The place in question was at the western end of Strait Bargate at a point where the buses enter and exit, which seems a very good spot to pick.
How can the "official" survey be better, when participants had to chase the forms themselves and pay to post them back to the company carrying out the survey? Not only that, but despite the length and breadth of the County Council run survey, fewer people took part than did in the BBG's poll.
What the BBG did was to take the poll to the people, which strikes us as an imaginative and practical approach if not exactly conventional. But then buses menacing shoppers is slightly unconventional as well.
Councillor Austin says: The recent independent and professional survey gave a very different result. They asked if the public thought the benefits outweigh the negatives That is a much more valid question."
Valid?
Woolly is the word we think Councillor Austin was groping for.
Woolly questions let the people who ordered the poll interpret the answers however they please, which is what has happened in this case.

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Lunatics take over asylum - official

Last week's full council meeting that voted to make the Into Town bus service invasion of Strait Bargate a permanent first ignored two attempts to bring some sort of reason to the debate.
First was an amendment moved by Councillor David Owens and seconded by Councillor Paddy Rush to defer a decision on the making the Experimental Traffic Order into a Permanent Order until a specific survey had been carried out on the issue of the buses travelling through the Strait Bargate precinct.
Given the BBI majority it was not surprising that the move was defeated, as was a further amendment proposed by Councillor Raymond Singleton-McGuire, and seconded by Councillor Anne Dorrian that the buses only be allowed to travel through the precinct during the early morning and evening, and not allowed to use the route during busy periods, particularly on popular shopping days, reverting to the circular route as used during the period of the Boston May Fair.
When that amendment was lost a vote was taken on the substantive motion and it was resolved that Lincolnshire County Council be recommended to make the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order permanent, and also that Brylaine be approached with a request to consider extending the current routes, as identified in the survey - and which are, presumably the ones that are currently being advertised in leaflets that appeared prior to last week's vote!
A total of 17 councillors voted in favour - 15 being the BBI block vote but with the interesting addition of Tory Councillor Mike Gilbert and Independent (but previously BBI) Councillor John Storry.
Councillor Brian Rush, a member of the Better Boston Group which organised the alternative survey of opinion on traffic using the pedestrian precinct, told Boston Eye: "We have to consider that if the majority of the public within the borough are against the buses in Strait Bargate, as indicated by test, then these councillors are either seriously out of touch with the electorate, or are just following the leadership, it matters not which.
"But I can't help wondering how decent elected members live with that kind of thought process and face the public.
"The big question really is, why the leadership have decided to commit political suicide by disregarding the views of the majority?
"Why they did not resist the highways proposal and insist, at least, on what could have been a vote catching alternative trial?
"We can do no more to stop this invasion, I believe it is down to the electorate to notify the BBI that they have got it wrong through the ballot box.
"Here's a thought. Have Councillors Austin and Jordan considered this - every silver lining has a dark cloud within it - and theirs could be the forthcoming and very obvious dilapidation of the pedestrian construction of Strait Bargate.
"Now when this happens, and it seems very likely that it may soon, who will be picking up the bill?
"Will it be Lincolnshire County Council, the bus operator, or is it more likely that the burden will fall upon that majority of non bus-using and pedestrian Boston taxpayers?
"Who actually is responsible for this 'new highway' tract?"

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ZZzzz

A busy week - seven days in a row, so we're taking the bank holiday off.
Back tomorrow.


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Ahead of time

It seems that the gremlins got in the way of a reply from Councillor Andrew Bakewell following our musings about his change of political horses from Labour to Independent for the forthcoming county elections.
After Friday's mention in "Week Ending" he writes: "Apologies for the delayed response. I have been experiencing some e-mail difficulties on my county council address.
"Contrary to your speculation, my decision to stand as an independent was prompted by the writing in the press of the excesses in Westminster which finally confirmed my disillusionment with the party political system.
"My decision was also influenced by people in the division who, aware of the facts, asked me to stand at this election."
However, we're still slightly puzzled.
The "writing in the press" began with the Daily Telegraph of 8th May - the day after nominations closed for the County Council elections.

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BBI losing "battle of hearts and minds"

On Tuesday we predicted that Boston Borough Council (aka the BBI) would ignore public opinion and vote to allow buses to continue to drive through Strait Bargate.
It was a pretty safe bet, and one we're sure that Joe Coral's would not have give us favourable odds for.
The decision has brought a strong rebuke from Fenside councillor David Owens, who says in a news release:
"Once again the ruling Boston Bypass Independents Party have chosen to ignore the wishes of the good people of Boston.
"In winning the vote that makes permanent the buses through Strait Bargate they have no regard for what people actually want!
"They have already scored an own goal by cancelling the Party in the Park; now this latest outrage.
"Elected members are supposed to represent their electorates views not ignore them.
"Well, so far its 2-0 against the BBI in the battle for hearts and minds, but the real losers are this town's citizens and local taxpayers."


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Week ending 22nd May

Lots of political mentions for today's week ending.
Lack of ambition award goes to Boston Borough Councillor and County Council wannabe Mike Gilbert. His election leaflet to voters promises: "We intend to maintain the efficient local collection of waste and help Lincolnshire keep the second best record in the country for recycling waste." Second best? What's wrong with wanting to come first in something for once?
Strong, silent type of the week award goes to County Council candidate Andrew Bakewell. A number of people expressed interest in his switch from being a staunch Labour supporter to standing as an Independent in Boston North West ward, and so we decided to ask him for a comment. That was a week ago, and we are still awaiting a reply. Let's hope he doesn't treat his constituents so rudely should he have the good fortune to be elected.
Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn award of the week goes to BBG Borough Councillor Anne Dorrian for taking advantage of the MP's expenses scandal to tell the residents of Skirbeck Ward in a letter to the Standard that she hasn't claimed any expenses in the past two years, and doesn't intend to. How are the two things connected? And why should we care? Ironically the headline to the letter is "Disbelief at antics of those on national politics stage." We've been a mite incredulous as some of the local antics as well.
And still at Worst Street, the Colonel Blimp award of the week goes to the BBI's Councillor Ray Newell. We were lost for words after reading a letter in the local press that referred to "Johnny Ghurka" and was signed Major (Ret'd) One of our team was an acting sixer in the cubs once, but is far too modest to flaunt it!
News management of the week award goes to BBC Radio Lincolnshire. The station hit the headlines after its long standing gardening expert Daphne Ledward was sacked following an unsavoury episode at a camping weekend. "BBC axe drunken plant ace Daphne," screamed the Sun .... "Sacked - Daphne Ledward went berserk ...." said the Daily Mail. And did the story appear on BBC Radio Lincolnshire's useless website. What do you think?
Finally, our Built to last award of the week goes to the planning application on Boston Borough Council's website for "Construction of minor eternal and internal alterations...."

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Stay away! We don't want you here

Summer is on the way, which means that people are looking for attractive destinations for a day out or a longer stay.
Obviously, Boston is the place we would like some of them to visit - to boost the estimated tourism income of more than £41 million of which £32 million comes from day visitors .
So, we donned our lederhosen and hiking boots and headed for the section called "Visiting Boston" on the Borough Council's website.
We'll not bore you with a click by click account of our visit ....
But here are some of the low lights.
Until last Friday afternoon, the list of "Big events this month" was still from April.
That feature has now ben replaced by something called "What's New" - which features the news that postcards of the W B Thomas paintings of Boston are now on sale, and the Boston Pocket Guide, which is scarcely "new," having been published in August last year - nine months ago.
A Tourist Information Centre that is open from 10.30 am - 3.30pm Wednesday to Saturday might as well not bother.
A link boasts that the Haven Gallery now appears on the web guide TripAdvisor. Unfortunately, the review says: "This place is so disappointing. Although there is quite a lot of exhibition space, the potential isn't realised, and most of the displays fall into the local "arty farty" category. Opening hours are not good - but with free admission the price is about right." Do we really want to boast about this?
The "Attractions in the area" section of the borough's website is dominated by a photo of the Masonic Hall on Main Ridge. Not only is it not open to the public - but wouldn't it have been a grand idea to remove the blue wheelie bins that detract from whatever attraction the building might hold. As for the mention of St Botolph's Church, we are told "It’s affectionately known as “the Stump” by Bostonians' (sic) since before time can remember why." Whatever happened to English? Mercifully after a handful of entries the page appears to peter out entirely.
Click on the section labelled "How to Get Here" and you will find .... no information at all!
Click on the section labelled "The Great Outdoors " and you are told "You are not authorised to view this resource. You need to login. "
What's on/event feature happenings in Sleaford, Kings Lynn and Alford and an exhaustive list of RSPB Wash cruises.
At this point, our patience became exhausted.
The whole section is like a maze. It is often out of date , unhelpful, chaotic, poorly written.
And why there is a separate hard-to-navigate events section is anyone's guess.
All in all it seems as though information for visitors is designed more to discourage people from visiting the town rather than the reverse.

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"Scanner" challenge on council attendance records

Last week we reported criticism of the BBI after four members failed to turn up to a meeting of the Audit and Governance committee, causing it to be cancelled. Conservative Councillor Raymond Singleton-McGuire wrote to leader Richard Austin, whose response was to say "the meeting should have gone ahead but no votes taken. The minutes could then be voted on at the next meeting. This is standard practice but as these circumstances are so rare the Chairman & Officers were not familiar with this procedure."
The exchange has appalled our regular correspondent "Scanner" who writes:-
"Gobsmacked is not a word that I normally use, but when I read Oberfuehrer Austin’s reply to Councillor Singleton–McGuire’s complaint I felt like using far more descriptive phrases.
"A few years ago, the Labour government stopped the system where local councillors received a payment for each meeting they went to, including outside committees where they represented the council.
"Instead, they imposed a yearly allowance to be paid in full, irrespective of how many meetings a councillor attended.
"The effect of this, apparently, was the absence of some members from many more meetings than they had missed before.
"It also meant that, from then on, appointments to outside bodies also became difficult to fill.
Boston Eye reported the non-attendance by thirteen councillors at the recent Civic Awards evening and the four missing from the Audit and Governance meeting causing the meeting to be postponed.
"Papa Austin says that the postponing of meetings happens rarely.
"I wonder what the attendance record of our councillors has been over the last two years, especially where they sit on outside bodies?
"How many councillors can boast a 100% attendance record?
"I know that people have remarked on how few councillors attend church services and other public functions – unless, of course, food and drink are provided! That seems to make a difference. Am I being cynical?
"I digress.
"Papa Richard classed as 'standard practice' that the meeting should have gone ahead and no vote taken until the next meeting where the minutes of that ‘non meeting’ would be voted on.
"I think he should have been forced to take the training that all the new councillors turned down after they were elected in 2007.
"How can you have minutes of a meeting that has not taken place because it was not quorate and could not, therefore, legally, come to any decisions?
"Furthermore it must have been an important meeting to invite two experts, at great expense I suppose, to help the committee to interpret the subject under discussion and answer any questions asked.
"Is our leader expecting four members of 'his group' to vote on the few words that will appear in the (non –existent?) minutes without having the opportunity to ask questions and, maybe, have a greater understanding of what they are voting for?
"I would not be a happy bunny, either, if I was a council officer who had been described as ignorant of procedures at meetings, and it seems that all chairmen should join Papa and be trained properly before being allowed to preside over meetings, not dragged off the streets and shoved before a committee.
"Finally, we have been told time and time again that they are all independent councillors.
"They say that their only agreement is on the need for a bypass.
"If they regard themselves as independents, how can Councillor Austin be a leader and 'crack the whip' and insist they come to heel and obey him? - though I like Boston Eye’s reference to lapdogs. "

Scanner

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"No discrimination" says library chief

Following today's story about accessing the BNP website from Boston Library, Mark Homer, Lincolnshire County Council's Assistant Director for Culture and Adult Education said:
"This may have been a temporary issue with the computer terminal or with the specific website, as my library colleagues were able to access the site later that day.
"However, Lincolnshire Libraries provide a valuable service to the public with their people's network computers, and as such have a responsibility to provide safe internet use.
"This means that sometimes key words are filtered and access may not be allowed based on this, but this is certainly not because of any discrimination to certain groups or individuals."

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Library closes book on BNP website

Technical hitch or possible sabotage?
Boston's BNP councillor David Owens has come across a problem for people wanting to access the BNP website and view its content from Boston library.
"This was reported to me last week and indeed to the library authorities at Lincolnshire County Council," he told Boston Eye.
"The problem appears to occur when after viewing the main page, you attempt to access any of the article pages, in other words, you get a taster of the content but cannot view or read the detail.
"Upon initial investigation the problem is NOT a universal block due to inappropriate content, that can be used quite correctly to prevent access to the obvious unsavoury sites on the internet, but seems to be a subtle and quite 'innocent' issue that can be ushered away as a technical problem.
"I have officially asked that this matter be resolved as a matter of urgency, as quite clearly this is an important time for us for a number of reasons, not least because people without home access to the internet may very well wish to find out more about us using the free internet facilities available to all in their library."
Councillor Owens is asking whether this is isolated just to Boston or whether it is countywide or even national.
"It is important that people have access to information in the run up to election and this could be seen as a sneaky back door method to prevent that," he says.
"I truly hope I am wrong!"
Yesterday morning we asked Lincolnshire County Council for a comment ..... but none was forthcoming.


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Will council ignore vote? You bet!

Final results of the BBG poll on buses travelling through Strait Bargate was :
Against 422
For Strait Bargate 164
You would assume that this might be worthy of consideration when the council meets to discuss the issue on Thursday.
However, as the Cabinet has already approved the plan ...

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BBG poll says NO to buses in Bargate

Voters in the Better Boston Group poll asking for their opinion on the Into Town bus service travelling through Strait Bargate have given the idea a big thumbs-down.
Councillor Brian Rush, one of the organisers tells us:
"The poll was, in our opinion, a resounding success.
"I have to say that it was a pleasure to meet face to face with so many really nice people. There were a tiny amount of hecklers, but they were of no consequence.
"We were treated with utmost respect and friendliness from all sides, and thanked by everyone for giving them the opportunity to voice their opinion."
He said that the count appeared to be about three to one against the "invasion" of Strait Bargate. "This actually confirms the pre-experiment poll by the Boston Bypass Pressure Group findings, along with our own poll which we ran in the Target some months ago.
"We will of course present the actual outcome numbers from our poll once we have secured an independent overseer to inspect the results.
"In the meantime, the paperwork has been lodged with the Members Services Department at Boston Borough Council.
"Unfortunately two rather worrying incidents occurred regarding our action.
"First, we were absolutely disgusted to be shown a leaflet that was being distributed on the buses for passengers stating that 'AN ANTI BUS SERVICE group were to be in the Market Place running a poll.'
"It is well stated and on record that the Better Boston Group have supported the need for an IntoTown Bus Service. But we do question the operation, routing and costs of such a service.
"Sorry, but is that not what an elected member is supposed to do???
"How could a professional company stoop so low as to adopt such dishonest, underhanded methods?
"Blatant scaremongering?
"It may also reveal not only a very worrying situation, but suggests an obvious fear of possible outcomes of such a poll.
"We endeavoured to offer a free and equal opportunity for all sides. I defy anyone that attended to even suggest that we offered any opinions, suggestions or influence.
"I am absolutely indebted to the Leader's wife, Alison Austin, on her response to my invitation to attend our poll.
"She felt that I was in need of her guidance on how to Give Credibility to such a Poll, (see e.mail.).
From: Alison Austin Sent: 12 May 2009 07:21
To: Brian Rush
Subject: Survey
Brian
I am afraid that I have a prior commitment on Wednesday.
I would however like to know what wording of question(s) you will be using. Please remember that "leading" questions would render your survey invalid. If in doubt, please consult a professional on this matter.
In the same way, for a survey to be valid it must be carried out in a variety of different locations and on different occasions so as not to introduce "bias" . I would like to suggest, in order to obtain a balanced picture, you also erect polling points at each of the two bus stops either end - ie the ones in Wide Bargate and the ones in the Market Place so that you can get the views of people using the buses. Again, you may need to take professional advice on where and when to conduct such a survey.
The whole idea of "bias" in surveys is one which you must take advice on if your results are to have any creditability.
Aliosn (sic) Austin
"Now I don`t know very much, but I just thought that if you buy two coloured pens (£2.95), borrow two flip charts, make a visible sign that asks a very simple Yes or No question (£20.00) you may get a true indication of the opinions of the people that use that particular area.
"Or...you could print and send out thousands of leaflets, create an online poll, position leaflets in hard to reach places, (subject to stock availability,) make your pollsters pay for an envelope and stamp, all organised by some distant company, and pay mega thousands for their professional services and analysis to decipher a gobbledegook question. Then okay I've got it wrong, so very sorry Mrs Austin, I am just glad I was not in your class when you were teaching.
"So as her advice was unsolicited I am going to be bold enough to offer her some advice.
"Get yourself up among the people of Boston tell them who you are and what you think you and your group have done for Boston."

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One more day - then you can read BBG bus poll story

The Better Boston Group's poll asked a simple question:- Do you believe that the Into Town bus service should travel through Strait Bargate? YES or No?
"The poll was, in our opinion, a resounding success" - Councillor Brian Rush.
That was despite the efforts of bus company Brylaine ... "How could a professional company stoop so low as to adopt such dishonest, underhanded methods?"
And the pooh-poohing by a Bypass Independent councillor who was otherwise engaged on the day but advised... "If in doubt, please consult a professional on this matter." Guess who? Well, as the cross-party advice seemed materteral, rather than avuncuar, we'll give you a clue. Her name is an anagram of Liaisons Aunt.
Learn the outcome of the poll, the attempts to "spoil" it, the advice to the BBI's Liaisons Aunt, and what happens next - on the Boston Eye blogsite tomorrow ...

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Monday's blog has full BBG poll story

The poll that kept the question simple and straightforward is in ... and the answer is an overwhelming no to running buses through Strait Bargate.
Find out more about the Better Boston Group's survey in our Monday blog .... INCLUDING ...
why bus operators Brylaine stand accused of "dishonest, underhanded methods" for misleading people over the purpose of the poll ... AND ...
How a BBI councillor sent a patronising e-mail to one of the organisers pooh-poohing the poll before it had even started.
Read Boston Eye's blog on Monday 18th May...


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Week ending 15th May

Grasping the nettle award of the week goes to the Better Boston Group, for conducting a poll of public opinion on the issue of the Into Town bus service driving through Strait Bargate, We'll have full details in Monday's blog - plus news of a sneaky bid by the bus company to "spoil" the poll, "and a snotty e-mail from a councillor who really ought to know better!
Sporting achievement of the week goes to Boston and District Athletic Club, which has won approval for a new indoor training base six months after being evicted from the Princess Royal Sports Arena. It's good to see them getting on with life after the PRSA and its shabby antics. We note with a wry smile that the PRSA no longer claims BADAC as one of its "sports and partner clubs" - even though it continued to do so long after its eviction. Sadly, it now claims NO partners at all.
Words coming back to haunt you award. After the news that the Bypass Independents are not to fight all the county council seats up for grabs, a reader says: "Where's Peter Jordan's threat now? The one that went 'Give us a bypass or we will run against you at election time. We are very strong you know; we can win any election............ we can walk on water!'" Good question. Any answers?
Lucky for some award goes to the candidates from 13 different parties setting out their stall for the forthcoming European elections. And the one most unlikely to succeed award within that lot has - in our book - to be the oddly named No2EU - we can't see how anyone would back a mob called "no to you," can you?
Pat on the back for a blog award of the week goes to .... US. This week saw the number of visitors to our site pass the 20,000 mark - which we think is jolly good even if no-one else does.
Quote of the week comes from a study into crime and disorder in Boston which shows the types of offences being committed in the area have changed in recent years. "While assaults with injuries have fallen, assaults without burglaries have risen; and while there's been a substantial drop in burglaries, anti-social behaviour is up." Are you following all that? The good news is that there's been an overall drop of 18% in crime between 2005 and 2008. The bad news? The trend began to reverse last year, and fear of crime has risen over the same period. What if a few police officers were allowed out once in a while? Perhaps a visible presence would do much to reassure those of us who are rightly fearful about crime in the area.
Best kept secret of the week award. Did you know that this week has been designated Local Newspaper Week 2009? No? Nor did we. Perhaps because no mention has been made of it in either of our local papers as far as we can see!
Still with the papers, our Misuse of English award goes to whoever wrote this week's "Take a trip down Memory Lane" feature for the Boston Standard. The phrase "It was deja vu all over again for a Swineshead man" left us absolutely speechless!

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Yet again BBI councillors hang up their "gone fishin'" sign

Almost a month ago, we were critical of Boston Bypass Independent members who failed to turn up for the special meeting to recognise the "unsung heroes" who give freely of their time to help the life of the town.
We called it a slap in the face for the people who were selected to receive an award.
Of the 31 available members of the council, just 18 turned up for the award ceremony.
Nine sent apologies, but four neither turned up nor bothered to apologise for their absence.
We called it yet another example of the indifference that our current elected line-up shows towards the people they allegedly represent.
So did that strike some sort of chord with the BBI.
Obviously not.
Writing on his blog, Conservative member Raymond Singleton-McGuire complains of lack of attendance at a recent meeting of the Audit and Governance committee.
"I was appalled today that the above Borough Council meeting could not go ahead as arranged due to the absence of BBI committee Members," he writes. " I have subsequently written to the leader of the council, who is also the leader of the Boston By-Pass Party, Councillor Richard Austin and will publish his reply in due course...."
In his e-mail to Richard Austin, Councillor Singleton-McGuire says:
"Dear Richard,
"You are aware that the A&G meeting today had to be called off under the constitution due to lack of members in attendance.
"The four absent members were all BBI Members and despite not attending, I am given to understand irresponsibly failed to give apologies which resulted in not only a total waste of time for those who did bother to attend, but a total waste of taxpayers money for those who now have to re-attend at yet further cost to the taxpayer.
"I have no doubt you will agree with me, together with the members and officers who did turn up - this included Mr. John Scott who travelled from Lincoln, also Caroline from PriceWaterhouseCoopers who had a round trip of over 300 miles from the other side of Leeds in order to attend - that this matter was an absolute disgrace and reflects poorly on Boston Borough Council.
"I also feel this incident does not reflect well on the BBI in light of your recent comments to the papers stating that 'we have to be good managers'.
"As leader of the BBI, could you please give your reassurance that this will not happen again and that your members will be in attendance at the re-arranged meeting which will now take place Friday 15th May in the committee room at 10am."
Councillor Austin replied: "Hi Raymond, What should have happened in this case is that the meeting should have gone ahead but no votes taken. The minutes could then be voted on at the next meeting. This is standard practice but as these circumstances are so rare the Chairman & Officers were not familiar with this procedure. This is the first time in my experience that this has happened. It is a lesson to all of us to follow correct procedure."
Ten out of ten to Councillor Singleton-McGuire for highlighting the fact that the BBI apparently regards the work of the council with as much contempt locally as do our MPs nationally.
We hope that Councillor Austin, who appears to have skirted the question he was asked, cracks the whip and brings his lapdogs to heel sooner rather than later, so that we are not writing this sort of story again in another few weeks.

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So who will get YOUR vote....?

The names are in the frame for the forthcoming county and borough council elections.
Seven seats are up for grabs on Lincolnshire County Council, with only four being fought by the Boston Bypass Independents.
Fear of defeat .... or lack of candidates?
The four are: Boston East, Boston North West, Boston South and Boston West.
There are some notable points among the county nominations.
In Boston Coastal, the BNP has entered the race with Holbeach based Anthony Turner bidding for the seat.
Boston East sees a bid by Labour's Paul Kenny to get back into office, whilst in the Fishtoft ward, recently re-elected Conservative Raymond Singleton McGuire is seeking election together with veteran Lib Dem Ossy Snell.
Things look interesting in Boston North West, where the better half of the Boston Bypass Independents leader, Alison Austin, seeks to join husband Richard on the county as well as the borough. Among the other candidates contesting the seat are Andrew Bakewell - a long serving Labour councillor who has clearly seen the writing on the wall and decided to stand as an Independent this time around. Labour is represented by Paul Kenny's wife Pam - is this another attempt to start a dynasty at County Hall - along with borough council Independent veteran Richard Leggott and another bid from the BNP - this time in the shape of Lincoln-based Colin Westcott.
Boston Rural waves farewell to the long serving county and borough councillor Alan Day, who we are sure would have a comment or two on the way that the borough council has changed since his time in office.
Borough council leader Richard "Papa Dick" Austin is standing in Boston South for the Bypass Independent party - and don't ask us how this fits in with his membership of the Lincolnshire Independents - because we don't know, and we're sure he isn't going to tell us.
That leaves Boston West, where among the candidates, the voice of the BBI, Ray Newell is hoping to win the seat - as is BNP candidate David Owens, who's planning to build on his success at the borough by-elections. Interesting times ahead as they say, especially given Councillor Newell's less than generous comments about the BNP in the pages of the local press.
That leaves the two seats on Boston Borough Council - yes two.
We knew that Kirton was on the market following the departure of Tory Councillor John Rylatt ... but it came as a surprise to see that Conservative Councillor John Ruskin has also flown the coop.
So Kirton has a new contender for the BBI in the shape of Carl Smith, whilst Pilgrim ward sees a Paul Kenny bid to get back on to the borough council along with another BBI newcomer Trevor Page.
The Better Boston Group is not standing for either seat.
Full details are available on the Boston Borough website look in the section marked "notices" on the bottom right hand side of the page. It's probably not an attempt to keep it as quiet as possible, we suppose - but given the alleged importance of local elections, we thought that it would rate rather higher than the risk of catching swine flu - unless you're an officer at BBI meetings.

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At last - chance to vote on buses in Bargate

Those of you - and we know there are many - who accept the need for better bus services around the town but oppose the services running through Strait Bargate have the chance to make your voices heard tomorrow.
The Better Boston Group has arranged a survey of their own following the one carried out on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council by consultants Mott Macdonald.
You may recall that the survey period was reduced from a month to three weeks, and that the forms barely touched on the issue of buses travelling through pedestrian areas. In addition, we pointed out that it was possible to complete the form online repeatedly - giving proponents of the service the chance to tip the scales in favour of the Into Town service.
The Better Boston Group says:
"We believe that the question should have been very simple:- Do you believe that the Into Town bus service should travel through Strait Bargate? YES or No?
"The responses to Mott MacDonalds terminology casts serious doubts on the results, in light of the fact that there has been a very strong level of opposition from the public to this element of the new service.
"We accept that this may have changed, but in an effort to evaluate this situation we intend setting up our own very simple consultation.
"On Wednesday 13th of May, from 8.30am until 5.00pm, we will be in attendance at the Entrance to Strait Bargate, near Marks and Spencer.
"We will erect two very clearly marked voting stations. The question will be asked as indicated above.
"We assure all concerned that no persuasion or influence will take place.
"We expect a free, fair unimpeded opportunity will be given for all opinions.
"If it is proved that the people accept this route then all our resistance to the use of Strait Bargate will cease.
"We therefore invite all to attend, and indeed help us if you can, at any and all times of the day to see how this trial evolves.
"We look forward to seeing you there."


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"Integration plans will leave Boston the loser"

Mrs Franklin Bolds's piece last week about newspapers no longer being produced locally has prompted a warning from our regular contributor "Scanner," who writes....

"What is often not realized or goes unremarked upon is that changes like this usually mean the loss of fairly well paid jobs in the area. This happened, in the early days, with the downsizing of the railways. Then we had the departure of the Electricity, Gas Board and Water Board offices followed by the loss of the Lincolnshire County Council offices in Boston - and don’t forget the police expansion at North Hykeham.
"Now we have a council that is talking of integrating services with our neighbouring councils ‘to save money.’ Sounds a noble and logical quest.
"But where are the new 'integrated' offices going to be? I bet that they won’t be situated in Boston or, anyway, that we will be net losers once more. This will mean the loss of well paid workers living here and even less jobs and incentives to help our youngsters stay or return to work here. I hope our councillors will take this into account and not be bullied into accepting the exodus of even more workers from the area. What may seem to be a money saver could backfire drastically.
"Some say that the hidden agenda is to replace Boston Borough, East Lindsey and South Holland Councils with one 'super' authority. Once more, if this does happen, I wager that the HQ will not be in Boston – 'it will not be central enough.' So much for keeping services local - provided and managed by local people! More job losses for the town? Over the year there has been steady drain of employment from Boston that no one has tried to stop.
"While I am on the subject of jobs and losses. You will have read that some of our council officers have been rushing round in ever decreasing circles, preparing the services they run for ‘value for money’ testing. I am sure that they have done their level best not to neglect those services while carrying out this task but, surely, at a time when the council is so hard up, they should be concentrating on running services as efficiently as possible - not churning out reams of paper so that they can tender for those very same services and compete against the private sector.
"We know that the private sector will only tender for the services that are profitable and can tender as a loss leader, accordingly, leaving the borough with those that will never even break even. You may remember that the last time the council went down his road (or should I say garden path?), and contracted out the grounds maintenance contracts etc, it had to pick up the pieces because of the unsatisfactory performance of the contractor. Once more the councillors are telling their employees, 'don’t worry there is TUPE (I think it stands for Trade Union Protection of Employment) which will protect your conditions of employment.' This proved useless then, and I don’t think things have changed.
"We seem hell bent, nationally as well as locally, on having our 'local' services run by foreign companies with offices anywhere but in Boston. What with the increasing number of company bankruptcies and receiverships there continues to be, how safe is this policy? Will we ever be able to pick up these services again if the contractor goes bust? It will, surely, cost us more if or when this happens.
"Finally, a comment on the new 'democratic' way of electing Boston’s Mayor. After the vote this year one member was heard to complain that though he had voted for his friend last year, his friend had not voted for him this year. Really adds dignity to the office of Mayor, doesn’t it? Incidentally, I would like to be a fly on the wall at a future BBI meeting. Next year there will be 27 candidates all vying to be Mayor. Will the ordinary independents of the ruling party accept an edict from on high on who to vote for, or, as described above, will their attitude be, 'I’ll scratch your back only if you’ll promise to scratch mine next year?'
"Watch this space. "


SCANNER

Week ending 8th May

Friday again, which means it's time for our improbable mix of award and commentary....
Not fair enough award of the week goes to the May Fair. We thought it looked more than a little sorry for itself this year .... perhaps the showmen felt that the writing was on the wall after all the negativity from the council chamber in recent months. Certainly there were fewer attractions, and an overall atmosphere of defeat. We'd be surprised to see it back next year - and so another piece of Boston's tradition will bite the dust.
And in the same category award, we detected a distinct lack of enthusiasm from the market traders for their new pen on the Qwik Save car park. More failed to turn up than arrived by all accounts. Next someone will be telling us how the market is no loner worth the cost of its administration.
Here we go again award of the week goes to the "Brighter Boston" campaign, which has "brought together a host of community, business and voluntary groups to celebrate and promote a Brighter Boston." Bring on the usual suspects as participants - this time the Standard in the lead with Boston BID, the Borough Council, Boston Mayflower, and Boston College among the runners-up. This is yet another piece of self promotional claptrap that does little if anything for the town. We wish that people would roll their sleeves up and get on with something by way of action rather than take this obvious and easy way out. We note in this respect that one Boston Borough Council official is still dining out on his "Boston is the jewel in the crown" line that he last flogged on the BBC some months ago and promising great things on behalf of English Heritage - when all they offered was a lick or two of paint costing a few quid to spruce up some of our many shabby shopfronts.
Animal crackers awards of the week come from each of our local newspapers. The first goes to the Standard for an introduction to a story which reads:"An animal lover is launching a campaign to improve road safety along a notorious rat run outside Boston after taking in injured animals. Rats? Bless you, no! The animals in question are ducks! And our second award goes to the Target, which informs us that the "mole breading season starts February." What would the animal lover in the first story make of that one? It certainly beats hedgehog baked in clay into a cocked hat!
Vote early and vote often award. The irascible Boston site http://www.boston-lincs.com/ has been going through a purple patch in recent weeks, and is now putting its future out to public opinion - asking whether it should close or not. We know that this site has made a few enemies among the ranks of the BBI, and as we are certain that they are rushing to vote for closure, we feel that this is reason enough for as many people as possible to urge the webmaster to keep up the good work.
Gobbledygook of the week ... no, probably of the year award goes to local artist Sam Clift's description of his first solo exhibition. He explains that through fusing painted textured materials, his sculptures are able to adapt to their environment while his drawings inhabit an environment all of their own. "The viewer is cast inward, exploring a fictional world through the textural definitions left by the mark-making. Wild and archaic images of utopian fantasy are revealed, existing for a moment, until the make-believe narrative evaporates once again back into its formal structure." Oh, and we thought it was your washing line, Sam!
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Party out of steam - but not hot air!

We note two seismic political events this week.
Thirty years ago Margaret Thatcher became our first female Prime Minister, and this week in 2007, the Boston Bypass Independents wrested control of the borough council from the party political system.
So we know of at least two silly old women with reason to celebrate this week.
But seriously, we wonder what members of the BBI will be talking about between themselves next time they're all together.
Will it be the internal wrangles that prompted so many defections from the party?
Or perhaps the drink drive scandals that saw two resignations from the BBI and their subsequent loss to other parties?
Will it be the disappointments over the failure to grasp such contentious nettles as the PRSA...?
Or the nonsense over the relocation of the Tourist Information Centre...?
How about the introduction of the unloved IntoTown bus service....?
Or claiming the credit for minor and obvious things like turning off traffic lights ...
Conspicuous by its absence this week is the letter to the local press that usually accompanies significant anniversaries achieved by the BBI.
Having celebrated the first 100 days and the first 12 months of the party with a paean of self-praise, BBI press officer Councillor Ray Newell seems more subdued this time around.
The same is true of the BBI's blogsite - unchanged since Tuesday 29th May 2007!
Has the party run out of steam?
Did it really ever have any to begin with?


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Buses are here to stay

Stand by not to be surprised.... it looks as though the IntoTown buses are here to stay.
A report to tomorrow's portentously named Overview and Scrutiny committee asks them to consider the review of the service and comment to the Cabinet before the council takes a vote.
In a nutshell, the lengthy report says that the service is a jolly good thing, beloved by everyone - and because there has not been an accident yet, there never will be.
Well what did you expect?
As a matter of interest, one thing that has not been discussed much is the way that the service impinges on other parts of Boston life.
The service has already cost us the Continental market and all but did for the Christmas market too.
And now with the May Fair in town we are going to see some other changes as well.
So that the blessed buses can continue on their route, the Wednesday and Saturday markets will no longer be relocated to West Street as they have for years.
Instead, they will be re-located on to the former Quik Save car park, with the loss of a considerable number of parking spaces.
The fair already takes around three hundred parking spaces out of the system with the loss of 158 from the Cattle Market car park, 102 from the Market Place and 79 from the Green - and losing the old supermarket site means that anyone trying to visit the town to combine a day at the fair with some shopping at the market will be hard pressed to find anything by way of convenient parking.
It really seems that the buses are now controlling everything to do with life in Boston.


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Bold challenge for George

Those of you in the know will recognise the pseudonym at the end of the following contribution, which came by way of comment on last Friday's "Week ending"column.
"Regarding your comments about George Wheatman and his column taking Mark Simmonds MP to task for having his constituency newsletter printed in Surrey.
"Is it worth asking George how come his paymasters at the Boston Target are moving its sub-editing team, again, this time from LINCOLN to HULL after it was wiped out in BOSTON a couple of years ago?
"And why is the Target now printed in STOKE, DERBY or LEICESTER. Will the Target and the Lincolnshire Echo, whose page designers have also lost their jobs in the move out of the county, still use their page one titlepieces featuring the proud boast "At the heart of all things local"?
"The Boston Standard is unlikely to ask - its sub-editing tasks are likewise being moved to a 'hub' ....in Peterborough.
"The few remaining employees at both Boston papers suspect that much of the design, accounts, 'backroom' services and some advertising tasks will be 'outsourced' to India sooner rather than later. Possibly after their respective owners, Northcliffe and Johnston Press, have merged."
Yours etc.,

Franklin Bold (Mrs)

Mrs Bold makes some good points - a number of which we have touched on previously in the Boston Eye.
The huge companies that now run local newspapers care only for their bottom line ... and not for the people that they claim to serve.
In times of recession, fewer people advertise locally, so fewer people buy newspapers. This reduces income, so the proprietors sack staff and/or create remote hubs. This dilutes local coverage, so fewer people buy the papers. This means that fewer advertisers buy space ... etc ... etc.
Whilst others may argue to the contrary, thriving local newspapers reflect a thriving local community, and the declining state of Boston's local press is testament to that (irony alert!)
Thank you Mrs Bold - the ball (to stick with his favourite sporting analogy) is now back in George Wheatman's court. But somehow, we doubt that he will run with it!


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Happy holiday

May day May day May day

Mayday Mayday Mayday

Bank holiday celebration?

NO!

It's what a fly on the wall at the BBI Cabinet meetings might overhear!


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Week ending 1st May

Stalin Lives! award of the week goes to the Boston Borough councillors who blocked Boston's sole BNP councillor David Owens from committee membership. They used a rule that said sole representatives of a political party are not recognised as being a political group. We wonder if, for example Councillor Owens represented a "Make Boston a better place" party, his colleagues in the chamber would be so opposed to letting him sit on a committee or two. He rightly pointed out that he was elected by the people - and it is they who are ultimately being denied representation. We applaud the councillors who - regardless of what they might think about the BNP - lent their support to Councillor Owens and spoke in favour of change. We are not surprised to find at least a familiar name or two from the BBI speaking in favour of the status quo ... just disappointed.
Please go back to the drawing board award has to go to Boston Mayflower Housing Association for the vile creation that they call Maurice Mayflower. Whoever dreamed up this jaundiced, goggle-eyed, toothless, spooky excuse for a mascot - and then put what appears to be a black traffic cone on its head - should be made to wear the costume at all times by way of punishment. If we're going to create mascots, logos, symbols or whatever, for heaven's sake let's try to come up with something decent for once. Maurice makes the Standard's Boskat look halfway respectable.
Quote of the week. Comes from Lincolnshire Police on the occasion of payback time for the people of Fenside following the seizure of drugs and cash in Operation Xantia. It was described as " a real test of community intelligence gathering, tension monitoring and diffusion through direct engagement with local residents." We think that this means battering a few doors in at six in the morning, though if anyone else wants to offer a translation, we'd be pleased to print it. On the same subject, why Operation Xantia ... as far as we can find out it's the name of a not-too-reliable Citroen car. What's next .... Operation Mondeo ... Micra ... Transit? The list is endless.
Loss of initiative award goes to Boston Target columnist George Wheatman. In two of his pieces in this week's irrepressibly dull "Nowhere's a Thought" feature, he bemoans the fact that the owners of Pensioners' Hall have not been heard from in the ongoing story about the decision by Age Concern to seek new premises - and he asks why MP Mark Simmonds has his constituency newspaper printed in Surrey, rather than in the constituency. Well you're the journalist, George and although the general thrust of your contributions seem dominated by sport, and trapped 60 or more years in the past, we believe that telephones existed even then. Why not make a few calls and get the questions answered.
In your dreams award again goes to the Target for a letter in the issue of 22nd April. The writer praised the Bypass Independents in no uncertain terms. "They are ... proving very responsible managers ... we are better informed than before ... responsible approach to management" - the letter simply oozes adulation. What a shame that the final line was apparently omitted .... "I am sorry that this letter is written in crayon, but I am not allowed anything sharp in here."

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