Our Friday miscellany of the week's news and events Called to account ... We're certain that it must have been a co-incidence, but we're delighted to report that on the very day that we reported Council David Owen's frustrating two-month battle to get spending on Boston's Community Cohesion Programme on the Scrutiny Committee's agenda he received the good news that it will be discussed on March 10th. He's urging anyone with the slightest interest in this to come along to the meeting, which is open to the public. Sadly, but necessarily given the management style of the borough leadership, he adds the reassuring news "there is nothing to fear." We also hope as many people as possible go along to hear how £330,000 has been spent on community cohesion so far (where? ... on what?) with an equal amount earmarked for the year ahead. Such a huge sum must surely be expected to make a massive impact on the community, but so far, no-one seems to want to account for where the money's gone in a satisfactory and convincing manner.
One among many ... An item on Boston Borough Council's website tells us: "A warning has gone out about a telephone scam involving a conman who pretends he is working for Boston Borough Council." As we've just said, looking at the current BBI line-up, we think the warning needs to be more specific!
Sense at last ... We were pleased to read that the Consideration and Hearing Sub-Committee of the council’s Standards Committee has dismissed a complaint that Councillor Raymond Singleton-McGuire breached the council's code of conduct by linking from the council’s website to his own website where there were comments about the complainant. The code says that members must ensure that council resources are not used improperly for political purposes, and the sub-committee decided that Councillor Singleton-McGuire's link did not amount to a "resource." Commonsense decrees that there could have been no other result, and again we are appalled that yet another time-wasting complaint has been allowed to take up council time and money. We don't know who the complainant was (but we could hazard a pretty accurate guess) and we hope that if he has any other complaints in the pipeline he'll now call a halt to them.
Inequality of mercy ... The Townswomen's Guild made unexpected waves earlier this week when it declared that Britain risks losing its national identity if immigration is not
dramatically reduced. Ninety-five per cent of members who responded to a survey believed current immigration levels would "cause us to lose our national identity to some degree," and 28.5 per cent said Britain should have a ban on immigration. Home Office minister Phil Woolas responded by saying: "The government recognises the impact that immigration can have on our communities. That is why only those who benefit Britain can come here." This week's court news in the local press lists nine cases out of which five defendants - two from Lithuania, one from Portugal one from Poland and one from an unspecified country pleaded guilty to drink driving, possessing a samurai sword, theft, assault and criminal damage. Perhaps Mr Wooly-Ass would like to specify precisely what benefits this motley crew are bringing to Boston. Incidentally, most of these defendants were released on conditional bail, with one getting community service, whilst an indigenous homeless defendant who stole a sandwich because he was hungry was sent to prison for three weeks.
Tuning out ... Yesterday's radio listening figures issued by the audience monitor RAJAR showed BBC Radio Lincolnshire at its lowest ebb since it began broadcasting almost 30 years ago. The station will probably blame competition, but we Boston we know very well that it is because the town is covered so poorly. Mind you, we've heard the same complaint from other parts of the county as well. Once the station was established it persuaded all the district councils to chip in with donations and premises for its remote studios, many of which are hardly used, and in these technologically more advanced time are no longer needed. As Boston needs to save money it might be worth checking to see whether or not we are still wasting it supporting a "local" radio station that is no such thing.
Overpromoted ... Boston's Target newspaper makes the proud boast "at the heart of all things local." However, a recent feature on mayor's officer Andy Lamming told us "He has also accompanied the mayor to Le Valle in France, Boston's twin city. Time for a staff refresher course, wethinks. The last time we looked, Laval was Boston's twin, and whilst there are many who might wish it, the town was still just that, and has yet to achieve city status.
Silly moo-se ... As any fule kno, the Dandy cartoon legend Desperate Dan is famous for his love of cow pie. But if ever he wants to diet and pays a visit to Boston, then the staff at the town's Heron store have a tasty offer. A tub or two of weight watcher's "moose" will most certainly help him shed a pound or two.
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