Churchill v SVDK

St Neots News and Crier - 23/09/2010

I thought the "March" against the imposition of car parking charges was a part of a "political pantomime". With the Tsunami of cuts coming I didn't feel putting car parking charges at the top of the list of services not to cut or charge- 20 pence and hour and free evenings/Sundays - was the not the best option. I also thought that all this was over the top and silly. That is my opinion.

In a free country, it is our right to protest against decisions. Whether Steve van de Kerkhove is a District Councillor (Liberal Democrat) or not he should be able to use publicly owned facilities such as Riverside Park.

The problem SVDK had was this was his first go at organising this type of event. People make mistakes and so long as they learn for those mistakes then move on.

Cllr Churchill (Conservative) alleged that SVDK brought "his office and HDC into disrepute" by not undertaking a risk assessment and not completing an events application form.

This is just a rush, by Cllr Churchill, to the Standards Board over a complaint that, in my opinion, just doesn't warrant this sort of action.

If there were problems then talk to his leader or to the Councillor concerned.

No other play areas in Eaton Ford says Cllr Churchill. Yes there are!

At the Cabinet meeting on 16/3/10, Cllr Churchill seemed unsure whether there were play areas in Eaton Ford. One of the justifications for not applying charges is their is no play areas in Eaton Ford. As a County Councillor this ward is within his Division so Ken should know.

But I had a bit of a look. First I defined Eaton Ford as the ward of Eaton Ford.

I had a quick look to see if I could find any play areas in Eaton Ford Ward other than the "essential" Riverside Play areas. Hey presto I found two. The Bowls Club play area is one and is very accessible. There is another at Weston Court.

Now I'm quite happy to admit that much of Eaton Ford hasn't got play areas. But who are the Councillors who should have been fighting for this provision in Eaton Ford? Answer: The Conservative Councillors.

A blow to the St Neots Conservatives! or the end of a pantomime?

As the 11 members of the St Neots Conservative Councillors Group (SNCCG) lick their wounds from the little battle over free 3 hours at the Riverside Car Park. The cabinet has decided to go with the free 38 spaces and 20 pence an hour with Sunday free all day instead.

I see Cllr Churchill and Cllr Hansard voted for their fellow members of the SNCCG who wanted the free 3 hours option.

To me this whole Conservative effort is pure spin. The Conservatives are doing something unpopular (nothing wrong in that) and the local Conservative Councillors don't want the blame. So we go through the pantomime of the decision being called in by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee before being sent back to Cabinet who just say no change. Now we are going to get the crocodile tears as the big bad cabinet hasn't changed the decision.

If this is such a bad decision the only option open is to resign from the Conservative Group in protest. So far none have gone. I'll be very surprised is anyone does. This is a pantomime and no one resigns in a pantomime.