Our Friday miscellany of the week's news and events.....
Numbers game. The Local Data Company tells us that Boston has the highest percentage of empty shops in Lincolnshire at 8.8% - up from 2.71 a year ago. Yet still the applications flood in ... the latest being to turn the Red Lion Street car park into shops and flats. There should be some sort of rule that bans this sort of development until there is a proven need. Not only does Boston already have more empty shops than Lincoln, Grantham, Skegness and Spalding, but some of them are in areas that have lain fallow for years - the former ASDA site for instance.
Alphabet soup. Boston's interim Chief Executive Richard Harbord has said that he can't rule out job losses as he tries to clean up the mess at Worst Street. If it's of any help, we suggest taking the easy way out and starting alphabetically. Repeat after us ...... 'A' Is for Austin ...
No surprises that the council refuses to discuss any financial arrangement following the departure of former Chief Executive Mick Gallagher. However, we think that anyone who parts company from his employer with such haste must surely have received some sort of "compensation" - otherwise quitting just 24 hours ahead of a damning Audit Commission report hints at some sort of conscience ... and there's been precious little evidence of that in Worst Street for the last couple of years. We also think that if nothing else the council should say whether or not a payment was made. And surely, when the council's accounts are published, any settlement must appear in it. As ratepayers we are entitled to be informed.
Abolition of stamp duty. So Boston postal workers are on strike until Monday. How will we notice?.... oh yes .... the pavements will be a lot safer for pedestrians!
Letter of the week asks an obvious question that others have missed. The writer says: "I might appear a bit stupid here, but I would like to know what the role at the borough council of a person with the job title Deputy Chief Executive involves. I would expect it to mean deputising for the Chief Executive (pretty easy to work that out) at times when the Chief Exec is unavailable, to hold the fort if (say) the Chief Exec resigns. So why has the borough (presumably at great expense) bought (and brought) in a recognised local authority heavyweight as interim Chief Executive rather than asking the deputy to hold the fort whilst a permanent replacement is found? Is it an admission that the current Deputy Chief Executive is really not up to the job?" The writer also recalls that at the time the present deputy was appointed that a person specification for the post was produced and published as is usual practice, but an alternative specification was produced for internal candidates only. Under "educational," the external specification stated the candidate must be a graduate, whilst the internal specification stated that candidates must be a graduate or have "suitable equivalent experience." Interesting, given the borough's long standing history of appointing internal candidates to senior positions.
And finally .... If you don't get the joke, please don't write to ask for an explanation. According to the BBC, bird watching huts in Lincolnshire (many of which are around these parts,) are being used as love nests by amorous (human) couples. "Angry twitchers who use the hideaways to observe rare birds are arriving at nature reserves to find the huts already occupied. The bird-watchers have complained to Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust which says repeat offenders face prosecution." Clearly, the Common Shag is not yet an endangered species!
You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.
Friday, August 7
Thursday, August 6
More bad press for Boston - now we discriminate
Boston is back making bad national news headlines yet again, with comprehensive pieces on national TV and Tuesday's Today programme on Radio 4.
The subject this time?
Local estate agents using illegal techniques to stop foreign workers viewing properties. The BBC featured three agents - B and B Mortgage services, AP Sales, and Bruseless Mather and Co - all if whom rejected a Polish worker sent by the BBC, while a BBC employee was allowed to view the properties.
One of the three companaies featured denied it discriminated in this way, another said it had created a new race-relations policy, and the third refused to comment.
But in total, the programme found that 14 out of 23 agents were prepared to discriminate.
There was no suggestion that the agents were racist, but the behaviour uncovered was described by human rights lawyers as a "disturbing and shocking" breach of the Race Relations Act of 1976 - which outlaws discrimination on the basis of race, religion, colour, religious beliefs, national or ethnic origins. Any discrimination against potential tenants or any plan to do so agreed with a landlord is also a breach of the National Association of Estate Agents mandatory code of practice for its members.
Initially, migrant workers had complained to the BBC that they were having problems gaining access to rental properties. So an undercover BBC correspondent, posing as a landlord, approached most of the rental agencies serving the town to ask if it was possible to rent out a property and ensure those of a non-British nationality were prevented from viewing it. Many refused to break the law, but more than half were prepared to discriminate against potential tenants on the basis of their nationality, on the instruction of the landlord. The estate agents' professional body has promised to investigate the claims.
But in the meantime, we feel that a stern message should be sent out to these people - possibly through Boston BID or Boston Borough Council - making it clear that their actions are threatening the town's image, which, let's face it, is bad enough already.
We cannot on the one hand celebrate Boston's "diversity", whilst denying those who are guests in our community the same rights as the indigenous population.
If the immigrant labour force is as vital to the Boston economy as the town's great and good keep telling us, then these unpleasant, anti-social - not to mention illegal - practices must be nipped in the bud as soon as possible.
You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.
The subject this time?
Local estate agents using illegal techniques to stop foreign workers viewing properties. The BBC featured three agents - B and B Mortgage services, AP Sales, and Bruseless Mather and Co - all if whom rejected a Polish worker sent by the BBC, while a BBC employee was allowed to view the properties.
One of the three companaies featured denied it discriminated in this way, another said it had created a new race-relations policy, and the third refused to comment.
But in total, the programme found that 14 out of 23 agents were prepared to discriminate.
There was no suggestion that the agents were racist, but the behaviour uncovered was described by human rights lawyers as a "disturbing and shocking" breach of the Race Relations Act of 1976 - which outlaws discrimination on the basis of race, religion, colour, religious beliefs, national or ethnic origins. Any discrimination against potential tenants or any plan to do so agreed with a landlord is also a breach of the National Association of Estate Agents mandatory code of practice for its members.
Initially, migrant workers had complained to the BBC that they were having problems gaining access to rental properties. So an undercover BBC correspondent, posing as a landlord, approached most of the rental agencies serving the town to ask if it was possible to rent out a property and ensure those of a non-British nationality were prevented from viewing it. Many refused to break the law, but more than half were prepared to discriminate against potential tenants on the basis of their nationality, on the instruction of the landlord. The estate agents' professional body has promised to investigate the claims.
But in the meantime, we feel that a stern message should be sent out to these people - possibly through Boston BID or Boston Borough Council - making it clear that their actions are threatening the town's image, which, let's face it, is bad enough already.
We cannot on the one hand celebrate Boston's "diversity", whilst denying those who are guests in our community the same rights as the indigenous population.
If the immigrant labour force is as vital to the Boston economy as the town's great and good keep telling us, then these unpleasant, anti-social - not to mention illegal - practices must be nipped in the bud as soon as possible.
You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.
Wednesday, August 5
Cop this! Three strikes for Lincolnshire Police
It's been a week of triple whammies for Lincolnshire Police - following the news that the force was ranked bottom of the list of 43 forces in England and Wales in terms of public confidence.
First came the news that the county force has dropped almost one in five investigations because there is no chance of solving the crime.New figures said 9,650 reported crime investigations were scrapped in the last 12 months - most of them burglaries, theft cases and offences of criminal damage.The force says all reported crime is investigated – but that it is not realistic to think that every incident will end in court action.A spokesman said all crimes were "professionally assessed" before a decision was made about the likelihood of catching the criminal."The category of a crime is wide-ranging, from minor theft through to murder and quite obviously we must prioritise," he said."We cannot devote time on protracted investigations of crimes which we have professionally concluded we have no hope of solving."That would be a disservice to the public and counter-productive to our efficiency."
The claim of professionalism pales slightly in the wake of the second item of bad news for the police.
A review by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary named Lincolnshire as one of only four forces lacking the specialist skills and resources needed to manage murders, sexual assaults, and other serious offences, and said urgent work was needed to bring them up to national standards. "The public rightly expects their local police service to protect them from serious harm," said HMIC Denis O'Connor. The force was also criticised for failing to collect information and develop tactics to understand the threat of major crime. Mr O'Connor said: "Major crime has devastating impact on individual victims, their families, and the wider community. "This report shows that while the police response to homicide is improving, some forces are still failing victims and families affected by major crime, and must improve their services. "The public rightly expects their local police service to protect them from serious harm and respond professionally when tragic events occur. "While most forces can and do meet that expectation, some cannot. This needs to change."Finally we heard the news that police officers are lo longer required to be able to swim, following an inquest on a man who was knocked into a ditch near Spalding by a car and who was left in 18 inches of water for three hours before being rescued.The emergency services decided that it was to risky to use ropes and ladders to negotiate a 15-foot river bank. A police spokesman told the inquest: "I can confirm it is no longer a requirement to be able to swim. Officers used to receive life-saving training but this is not the case now."
Not that many years ago, Lincolnshire Police officers were required to learn to swim and forced to earn a bronze life-saving badge. But then there was also a time when they were required to be fit as well.Not only the police failed to engage in this particular case. Although the victim was thrown into the ditch, at that stage unconscious and suffered broken ribs but was not fatally injured.The car driver called for an ambulance and was told to stay in his car. A paramedic who arrived 10 minutes later could not find the injured man so called for assistance. A fellow paramedic subsequently spotted the body face down in the water but thought it was too risky to reach it and called for firefighters.Two crews of retained firemen and more than 10 police officers arrived at the scene, and started placing a ladder on the bank.But the fire group manager decided they should wait for a specialist water rescue team of firefighters to arrive from Lincoln, more than 50 miles away.
Between them these three episodes plaint the bleakest possible picture of Lincolnshire Police.
They write off crimes because they have no hope of solving them....
When serious crimes are committed they lack the skills and resources to deal with them....
And in a county which probably has more miles of water courses than most, they are no longer required to be able to swim, and possibly save the lives of people who end up in one of our many drains and rivers.
But they are quick off the mark when it comes to sitting around in our local supermarkets handing our crime prevention leaflets, or organising football matches and litter picks.
Disgraceful!
You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.
First came the news that the county force has dropped almost one in five investigations because there is no chance of solving the crime.New figures said 9,650 reported crime investigations were scrapped in the last 12 months - most of them burglaries, theft cases and offences of criminal damage.The force says all reported crime is investigated – but that it is not realistic to think that every incident will end in court action.A spokesman said all crimes were "professionally assessed" before a decision was made about the likelihood of catching the criminal."The category of a crime is wide-ranging, from minor theft through to murder and quite obviously we must prioritise," he said."We cannot devote time on protracted investigations of crimes which we have professionally concluded we have no hope of solving."That would be a disservice to the public and counter-productive to our efficiency."
The claim of professionalism pales slightly in the wake of the second item of bad news for the police.
A review by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary named Lincolnshire as one of only four forces lacking the specialist skills and resources needed to manage murders, sexual assaults, and other serious offences, and said urgent work was needed to bring them up to national standards. "The public rightly expects their local police service to protect them from serious harm," said HMIC Denis O'Connor. The force was also criticised for failing to collect information and develop tactics to understand the threat of major crime. Mr O'Connor said: "Major crime has devastating impact on individual victims, their families, and the wider community. "This report shows that while the police response to homicide is improving, some forces are still failing victims and families affected by major crime, and must improve their services. "The public rightly expects their local police service to protect them from serious harm and respond professionally when tragic events occur. "While most forces can and do meet that expectation, some cannot. This needs to change."Finally we heard the news that police officers are lo longer required to be able to swim, following an inquest on a man who was knocked into a ditch near Spalding by a car and who was left in 18 inches of water for three hours before being rescued.The emergency services decided that it was to risky to use ropes and ladders to negotiate a 15-foot river bank. A police spokesman told the inquest: "I can confirm it is no longer a requirement to be able to swim. Officers used to receive life-saving training but this is not the case now."
Not that many years ago, Lincolnshire Police officers were required to learn to swim and forced to earn a bronze life-saving badge. But then there was also a time when they were required to be fit as well.Not only the police failed to engage in this particular case. Although the victim was thrown into the ditch, at that stage unconscious and suffered broken ribs but was not fatally injured.The car driver called for an ambulance and was told to stay in his car. A paramedic who arrived 10 minutes later could not find the injured man so called for assistance. A fellow paramedic subsequently spotted the body face down in the water but thought it was too risky to reach it and called for firefighters.Two crews of retained firemen and more than 10 police officers arrived at the scene, and started placing a ladder on the bank.But the fire group manager decided they should wait for a specialist water rescue team of firefighters to arrive from Lincoln, more than 50 miles away.
Between them these three episodes plaint the bleakest possible picture of Lincolnshire Police.
They write off crimes because they have no hope of solving them....
When serious crimes are committed they lack the skills and resources to deal with them....
And in a county which probably has more miles of water courses than most, they are no longer required to be able to swim, and possibly save the lives of people who end up in one of our many drains and rivers.
But they are quick off the mark when it comes to sitting around in our local supermarkets handing our crime prevention leaflets, or organising football matches and litter picks.
Disgraceful!
You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.
Tuesday, August 4
Sharing services could mean losing jobs
Our correspondent Scanner has put pen to paper once again on the issue of pursuing privatisation of Boston Borough Council's services, and thinks that there are dangers ahead if the plans come to fruition.
It really does seem as though our councillors want to relieve themselves of any responsibility for the services the Council currently provide.
I can see the attraction.
The excuse will be, “I have listened to your complaint but it’s not mine or the council’s fault. It’s the fault of ……………. (whichever firm that ‘won’ the contract). I will take it up with them” (and will the firm listen? – fat chance! - and there will be little the council can do).
Costs will inevitably rise as services worsen.
But there will be only a small drop in numbers of staff in Worst Street as much monitoring of these firms will have to take place.
I bet there will not be fewer councillors either.
Word is that there have been at least two firms, so far, who have visited us to look at the waste collection services.
One, it seems, may be strapped for cash.
The other hailed from Grimsby, I understand.
It seems they want to use the vehicles they already have in Grimsby here in Boston as well.
Just make sure the A16 is kept clear!
The only sufferer, from any of these proposed takeovers, could be the council staff at street level.
If history has anything to show us, these staff will soon find that those firms may relieve themselves over them, as any employment agreements soon seem to be ignored or forgotten.
I maintain that over reliance in using shared services will also mean a loss of councillor responsibility and, as I’ve written previously, could lead to a net loss of workers living in Boston as well.
Earlier I mentioned learning the lessons from history, and I wonder does history repeat itself as well?
With the departure of Mick Gallagher and rumours of a deal with South Holland, are we going back pre 1974 and resurrecting the old County of Holland? As far I can remember there was little love between Boston and Spalding then, and I don’t think things have changed much since!
Hardly the basis for a “good marriage” even worse if a ‘shotgun’ is involved
SCANNER
You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.
It really does seem as though our councillors want to relieve themselves of any responsibility for the services the Council currently provide.
I can see the attraction.
The excuse will be, “I have listened to your complaint but it’s not mine or the council’s fault. It’s the fault of ……………. (whichever firm that ‘won’ the contract). I will take it up with them” (and will the firm listen? – fat chance! - and there will be little the council can do).
Costs will inevitably rise as services worsen.
But there will be only a small drop in numbers of staff in Worst Street as much monitoring of these firms will have to take place.
I bet there will not be fewer councillors either.
Word is that there have been at least two firms, so far, who have visited us to look at the waste collection services.
One, it seems, may be strapped for cash.
The other hailed from Grimsby, I understand.
It seems they want to use the vehicles they already have in Grimsby here in Boston as well.
Just make sure the A16 is kept clear!
The only sufferer, from any of these proposed takeovers, could be the council staff at street level.
If history has anything to show us, these staff will soon find that those firms may relieve themselves over them, as any employment agreements soon seem to be ignored or forgotten.
I maintain that over reliance in using shared services will also mean a loss of councillor responsibility and, as I’ve written previously, could lead to a net loss of workers living in Boston as well.
Earlier I mentioned learning the lessons from history, and I wonder does history repeat itself as well?
With the departure of Mick Gallagher and rumours of a deal with South Holland, are we going back pre 1974 and resurrecting the old County of Holland? As far I can remember there was little love between Boston and Spalding then, and I don’t think things have changed much since!
Hardly the basis for a “good marriage” even worse if a ‘shotgun’ is involved
SCANNER
You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.
Monday, August 3
Time for BBI to listen and learn...
After all the to-ing and fro-ing with the office accommodation at Worst Street, we welcome the arrival at work today of Richard Harbord for six months as Interim Chief Executive at Boston Borough Council.
Talk about a poisoned chalice!
Mr Harbord arrives at a time when when the council is at its lowest ebb.
After a series of damning reports by the Audit Commission, some feel that the borough is a hairsbreadth away from some sort of official intervention in its affairs before it is declared to be a failing council.
Council Leader Richard "Papa Dick" Austin said of Mr Harbord's appointment: “I’m delighted to welcome Richard Harbord as the interim Chief Executive. He has a wealth of experience and that will be a great value to our borough in the months ahead.
“This is a crucial time for the council and to have somebody with Richard’s experience both in finance and local government, who can look independently at merged services and market testing, will be crucial.”
Dead right there, Councillor Austin, and we just hope that you and your colleagues will listen in a way that you clearly haven't before - previously preferring to keep a dog but bark yourselves.
Mr Harbord has worked in eight local authorities in London and the south east.
He is also a qualified accountant and a member of the Institute of Rating, Revenues and Valuation, Institute of Management Information systems and the Institute of Management Consultants.
He also has two master of philosophy research degrees and is on the Council of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, the professional body for people in public finance, and Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation. He lectures and writes on local government issues, mainly on management and finance but has also worked extensively on emergency planning and business continuity and is the architect of the current resilience arrangements in London. He worked on the civil contingencies act at the cabinet office.
Mr Harbord is widely known in local government and central government departments. He is a past president of the Society of London Treasurers, Society of Metropolitan Treasurers and Institute of Rating Revenues and Valuation. We particularly like a phrase used by Mr Harbord six years ago in an article in "Public Eye," the public sector newsletter of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which was reprinted in the Guardian newspaper.
He wrote: "Every organisation, big or small, needs plans."
He must have had Boston in mind.
We hope the BBI leadership will keep a still tongue in a wise head and let Mr Harbord get on with his job.
If we can offer any advice when dealing with the leadership, we would offer this cleaned up quote from Elmore Leonard: "Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes four muscles to extend your arm and slap him/her upside the head..."
You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.
Talk about a poisoned chalice!
Mr Harbord arrives at a time when when the council is at its lowest ebb.
After a series of damning reports by the Audit Commission, some feel that the borough is a hairsbreadth away from some sort of official intervention in its affairs before it is declared to be a failing council.
Council Leader Richard "Papa Dick" Austin said of Mr Harbord's appointment: “I’m delighted to welcome Richard Harbord as the interim Chief Executive. He has a wealth of experience and that will be a great value to our borough in the months ahead.
“This is a crucial time for the council and to have somebody with Richard’s experience both in finance and local government, who can look independently at merged services and market testing, will be crucial.”
Dead right there, Councillor Austin, and we just hope that you and your colleagues will listen in a way that you clearly haven't before - previously preferring to keep a dog but bark yourselves.
Mr Harbord has worked in eight local authorities in London and the south east.
He is also a qualified accountant and a member of the Institute of Rating, Revenues and Valuation, Institute of Management Information systems and the Institute of Management Consultants.
He also has two master of philosophy research degrees and is on the Council of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, the professional body for people in public finance, and Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation. He lectures and writes on local government issues, mainly on management and finance but has also worked extensively on emergency planning and business continuity and is the architect of the current resilience arrangements in London. He worked on the civil contingencies act at the cabinet office.
Mr Harbord is widely known in local government and central government departments. He is a past president of the Society of London Treasurers, Society of Metropolitan Treasurers and Institute of Rating Revenues and Valuation. We particularly like a phrase used by Mr Harbord six years ago in an article in "Public Eye," the public sector newsletter of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which was reprinted in the Guardian newspaper.
He wrote: "Every organisation, big or small, needs plans."
He must have had Boston in mind.
We hope the BBI leadership will keep a still tongue in a wise head and let Mr Harbord get on with his job.
If we can offer any advice when dealing with the leadership, we would offer this cleaned up quote from Elmore Leonard: "Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes four muscles to extend your arm and slap him/her upside the head..."
You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.
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