| Two bits of not so good news ---
07 Dec 2009
A long time ago we submitted request for lighting for the following locations in the ward -
Longfield Road – rear lane
Ridgeway
Lowson Street
Vernon Gardens – rear lane
We have finally received the following response -
"In relation to the Harrowgate Hill lighting requests for anti-social behaviour, the figures for ASB & crime have been assessed for this area and at the moment other areas are in much greater need due to high levels of ASB. The budget is relatively small and we must be able to prove ASB/crime in those areas for us to justify using the budget in that area"
We have asked for the figures to make sure that the ward is not loosing out.
Then, a letter to members of the Forums which the Labour group have been intent on destroying -
Dear Forum Member,
Darlington Transport Forum, Environmental Forum and Town Centre Forum
The Council has decided that engagement with a wide range of organisations and the public can be improved if it uses a range of methods which suit more people and issues better than the Forums have in recent times.
The Forums were an innovative and effective way of the Council consulting specific organisations on the Council’s plans when it was first set up. However, since the Forums were set up, much has changed:
• Local Strategic Partnerships have been set up to provide a more comprehensive and structured way of all partner and stakeholder organisations working together. The Darlington Partnership provides an effective way of all relevant organisations working together on things of importance to Darlington and Darlington people.
• Within the Council, Scrutiny Committees have been set up to allow Councillors to look in detail at issues and to invite organisations and members of the public to present evidence and views to them.
• A wide range of consultation events take place, often badged ‘Talking Together’, tailored to the issue being considered and to the needs of the people who may want to be involved; and these attract a lot more people than the Forums have done.
These different meetings and events have come to duplicate the work of the Forums to some extent, but, more importantly, they provide better opportunities for more people to have their say and influence what happens in Darlington. The Council wants to build on and improve what it is doing to listen to the views of Darlington people, and has therefore decided to use these other more effective methods in future rather than the Forums.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for what you have contributed to the Forums, and to check that you are happy to be invited to future meetings and events which will discuss similar issues to those previously considered by the Forums. If you do not want to continue to be invited to such events, please could you contact Lynne Wood using the contact details above.
Details of forthcoming Talking Together consultation meetings and Scrutiny Committee meetings (which are open to the public) can also be found on the Council’s website.
Yours faithfully,
Head of Democracy and Customer Services
Shocking lack of democracy, no consultation just get rid of, the voters of Darlington will be reminded in 2011. Trouble is the election material on 2011 is going to have to take the form of a novel rather than a leaflet because there is so much to remind people of!
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