Geoffrey Settle Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Why are our children writing to the Council about Peel Hall Park? Why are our park rangers being drastically cut (I think from 22 to 12)? Why were our hedgerows drastically cut back during nesting season? One answer that I'm aware of Paula Darlington Head of Environmental Management WBC- does this woman have no shame? She once told me at a Parish meeting that our neck of the woods was wonderful and that she didn't know about the Park Path that I was complaining about in Enfield Park!!! Alongside her Clr Sharon Wilson mocked my efforts to get it repaired; she read from an email that I had sent to her managed WBC customer service desk. The council had actually on my request repaired three small patches in a path a 1/4 of a mile long This is in a Park that Clr Ian Marks promised a load of money if a TV bid was won and brought in ?80,000. It is a path that people still struggle on and I believe complained about in the TV campaign supported by the same Council. To top it all Paula then read from an email complimenting her staff from replacing a dog bin and repairing lights and removing graffiti. Guess what? I wrote it I must praise the Children of St Bridgets for their initiative (and the work that they have done in their school grounds) and hope that for once the WBC investigation in the park gets things cleared up! I remember dragging bikes and stuff out of the Peel Hall pond, reporting burnt out scooters and bins etc so it's nothing new. This used to be dealt with by a well funded Park Ranger Service, that I have often written about. I also wish the Warrington Nature conservation Forum continued success to prevent nests and other habitats from being destroyed by the council. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 So do we still have "parks"? Notice your mates Geoff, allowed a school to be built on St Elphin's, taking away open space from the area! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted February 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Well after going under the knife on Monday my knee seems to be doing well. I'm no longer limping and I've even tried a short run or two but don't tell the surgeon. and I didn't even need a pain killer. It's been over a year since I was able to run and that's just too long. Unfortunately my physios place got damaged by fire the other week so I'll have to manage my own recovery. But its progressing very well and I'm sure that I'll soon be able to get my running kit on and go out and see what state the parks are currently in. I remember what they used to be like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted February 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Don't worry obs, the up shot should be that I'll be able to get out and about to report about the hatchet job that Paul Darlington has been doing with the Environmental Services. Has she really withdrawn the Park Raners from Orford Park? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Are Paul & Paula Darlington job sharing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted February 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Yes - It's as if they were joined at the hip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Geoff, I'm with you on this issue. I find it ludicrous that we clean up the green spaces, get the Rangers to organise walks and events for school children, and as soon as these things are successful, WBC pull the rug out. The excellent Rangers from Blackbear Park have been moved to Lymm. I wonder how that was planned. We are meeting someone who is allegedly going to explain the reasons in the next week or two. I will let you know what is said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kennedy Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 There was talk recently of all parks having park keepers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wahl Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 rather have park rangers than the totally unnecessary traffic wardens advertised at some ridiculous salary. Probably get twice as many who would do twenty times better job than obstructing traffic. w Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted February 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 I agree with Pete and wahl. I know that wahl has worked very hard campaigning for his local environment and Pete is doing the same. All the Rangers that I have met have known their trade inside out and have a much wider perspective on environmental management in our community than any traditional 'Park Keeper' can hope to aspire to. Pete I'd be very interested in hearing what they say about Blackbear Park, please keep us informed. If there is anything you want me to pass on to the Warrington Nature Conservation Group's committee meeting week just let me know and I will pass your comments on to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 btw isn't this a "local" issue?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted February 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 No it's a consequence of the CON/DEM cut backs. They are also cutting back affiliations to wildlife databases used when referencing planning proposals. If these databases are not refrenced then will will have developments on even more sites perhaps even sites f scientific interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted February 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 No it's a consequence of the CON/DEM cut backs. They are also cutting back affiliations to wildlife databases used when referencing planning proposals. If these databases are not refrenced then will will have developments on even more sites perhaps even sites of scientific interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 You talking to yourself again Geoff? First sign of madness!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted February 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 True but I may have been emphasising my point, actually I hit the quote button by mistake... but I am mad at WBC's course of action. They are considering ditching service level agreements with: The Cheshire Wildlife Trust; and rECOrd (the Cheshire biological records Centre) Without the existing arrangements the council would either fail to deliver, or would have to pay consultants a much higher fee to provide the same outcomes. They would not be able to check on planning proposals by developers and therfore not be able to check what wildlife etc is on the proposed site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 Presumably Geoff, these "cuts" are "savings" in order to get the rate rise below 4%: perhaps you could suggest an alternative saving instead or pursuade your Government to make up the difference?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted February 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 These internal saving would amount to ?7,000. The fact that they are considering them indicates that they are not interested in Nature Conservation and do not want to bother finding out what faun, flora, wildlife exists in a place - nor to they seem to be concerned about being proecuted for their lack of interest or foresight. They have always paid for this service so why stop now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 It's called balancing the budget Geoff; either come up with an alternative or promote the idea of a rate increase above 4%; as I'm sure they'll be a queue behind you with their own pet schemes. Plus, arn't they now ?15million in the red? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted February 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 I'd need to see the balance sheet and offer suggestions to prioritising elements within it which is not going to happen. However they do seem to be holding nature hostage by excluding the service agreement from the 2009/10 budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 It's called balancing the budget Geoff; either come up with an alternative or promote the idea of a rate increase above 4%; as I'm sure they'll be a queue behind you with their own pet schemes. Plus, arn't they now ?15million in the red? Perhaps they should look at the waste they create rather than cut services. To reduce that debt, they will have to cut nearly every service going. Surely, all these cut-backs are knee jerk reactions and short term fixes. Sooner or later the issues will have to be addressed at even greater cost. OR let Warrington become a wilderness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 One persons waste is anothers pet project, I thought Paul was going to wage a war on "waste" on the Council, only to discover he's been spending time on a committee considering arguements for an increase in Member Allowances! Geoff: we have an electoral system, which allows you to vote for folk to do the "weighing up" on your behalf, as we can't all fit into the Town Hall at the same time! As for looking at the "budget", I thought it was a public document, perhaps one of your mates can get you a copy?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted February 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 Obs I'm waiting to hear if a NON political lobby will address the issue that I am referring to. They succeeded in getting the severe pruning issues sorted so hopefully they will have success with the proposed abandonment of service levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Settle Posted February 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 Obs I'm waiting to hear if a NON political lobby will address the issue that I am referring to. They succeeded in getting the severe hacking of trees and bushes issues sorted so hopefully they will have more success against the proposed abandonment of service levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted February 14, 2009 Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 No such thing as a NON - political lobby; the very act of "lobbying" IS a "political" act! Your first port of call is to decide whether this is a "statutory" service requirement; if yes; I'm sure there is an MP ready to "have a go" at the Council! If no; then I fear your wasting your time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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