Same old message...

We never cease to be entertained by Boston Borough Council leader Richard "Papa Dick" Austin, and his so-called New Year Message hasn't failed to disappoint us.
"I am looking forward to a year of achievement, a year when the council turns around its performance and delivers improved value for money for residents across the borough," he tells the great unwashed.
Well so are we!
Yet again, we are reminded of the big challenges facing Boston in the years ahead.
But the mantra is to be firm.
"I firmly believe that now the council's finances are on a firmer footing and we have the necessary controls to deliver a balanced budget."
He blithely cites the setting up of an "Improvement Board" and claims that it is helping to drive forward "the improvement we need to make at Boston Borough."
Frankly, we'll believe that when we see the minutes of the meetings, which we somehow think is unlikely, and the setting up of the Board fails to note that by definition the borough must have been deeply in the mire for such action to have become necessary.
The Dear Leader reminds us that the economic downturn is having a drastic effect - an idea that he rejected a year ago, and tries to cheer us with a list of things to celebrate.
These are: improved traffic flow (agreed during the reign of the previous administration;) new bus services which have brought more shoppers into town (questionable;) the opening of the refurbished Park Gate toilets (that's a relief;) more allotments available - doubtless to replace the ones in Broadfield Lane from which scores of tenants were evicted for a housing plan that's failed to materialise; plans are being progressed to improve street parking arrangements (presumably charging people to park outside their homes when it's previously been free), green waste collection (what's happened there?) and climate change issues are being addressed (reducing hot air from the Cabinet would be a good starter;) and more people are benefiting from the healthy walks scheme (but not many!)
We're then reminded that 2010 will see the long-awaited road widening scheme to improve traffic flow on the A16 and A52. This work is due to start in February and be completed by December.
We define that as ten months of misery for what has already been declared a pointless exercise to prove that Boston still needs the by-pass that it will never get.
The Leader thanks the many who are now helping to keep the borough tidier and greener - a job previously done by the council; also to all who have given their ideas for the refurbishment of the Market Place, which will probably be ignored.
The message ends: "The integration of the many new migrants into the area is still causing concern to some people and I thank the many residents who are helping to reduce tensions, including the council's community development team.
"One of the key issues for 2010 is the Coastal Strategy Report due in March.
"Its findings are likely to have a big influence on Boston's future particularly the supply of affordable homes, regeneration projects and the timing of the building of a bypass or distributor road."
It sounds like last year all over again.
We have never understood why local civic leaders feel the need to issue messages like these.
The Queen, yes, so too the Prime Minister and church leaders.
But not the lacklustre leader of a lacklustre ruling party, whose promises will most probably never be kept.

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