Open letter to cllr David Wilburn, chairman of Stockton's Appeals and Complaints committee

Following the closure of the statutory consultation on Stockton Council's planned parking tax for Yarm, the council's Appeals and Complaints Committee is due to sit at 10:00 on Tuesday 10th September at the Baptist Tabernacle in Stockton to consider the thousands of representations from residents and traders.

Though not remotely surprising, it is disappointing Stockton Council has arranged the meeting at their convenience, ignoring the fact this will deny hundreds of residents from being able to attend the meeting and have their say.

I have copied the text of my open letter to the chairman of the Appeals and Complaints Committee, Labour councillor David Wilburn, below asking for the meeting to be rearranged to suit the thousands of concerned residents and traders, not just the dozen or so councillors and officers of Stockton Council.

Should you wish to forward your own thoughts to Councillor Wilburn, you can do so by e-mailing him at david.wilburn@stockton.gov.uk

Tuesday 20^th August 2013

Dear Mr Wilburn

I am writing to you in your capacity as chairman of the Council’s Appeals and Complaints Committee. 

As you will already be aware, a meeting of the Appeals and Complaints Committee has been arranged for Tuesday 10^th September at the Baptist Tabernacle in Stockton to consider the objections to the various Traffic Regulations Orders (TROs) proposed for Yarm High Street and the surrounding area. 

I am sure I need not describe the extent and depth of concern felt by many residents, traders and visitors to Yarm. Indeed, whilst consideration of parking matters (and even the possible imposition of parking charges) regarding Norton High Street are not as far advanced as here in Yarm, I am sure you will be able to empathize with our concerns. 

I am therefore extremely concerned that, given the number of people who will doubtless wish to attend and address the meeting, the committee is due to meet at a time and venue which seems tailored towards the convenience of councillors and council officers rather than that of residents. 

Given individuals’ work and/or childcare commitments, I fear large numbers of people are to be denied the opportunity to attend the meeting if it is held during the working day. Whilst ordinarily it may reasonably be suggested that individuals could take a day’s leave from work thereby allowing them to attend, coming so soon after the school holidays this may well not be possible for many (for example, those who have needed to utilise their annual leave in order to care for their children during the holidays). 

In addition, I was surprised that a venue closer to, or preferably within, Yarm was not secured. From both a convenience to residents and an environmental point of view, it would make infinitely more sense for 30 or so councillors and officers to commute to Yarm for the meeting rather than hundreds of individuals having to travel to Stockton Town Centre. 

I would therefore ask that you, as the committee chairman, have the meeting rearranged for a time more convenient to residents and at a venue in Yarm. 

It is not unusual for the venue of meetings to be set in order to accommodate members of the public – hence why the meeting was arranged to be held at the Tabernacle in the first place, as have many planning meetings recently which you and I have both attended. It is also typical for meetings relating only to a single ward to be held in that particular ward.

As for the time of the meeting, I see no reason why this could not be held either during the evening or on a weekend, thereby allowing individuals to attend who otherwise would not be able to due to work commitments.  Again, this is not unusual – many public consultation events are held at such a time with the sole aim being to maximise the attendance of those who wish to do so. 

I accept some may argue that the likely duration of the meeting means it is impractical to be held on an evening, but as there are three separate TROs to be considered it would be perfectly possible – perhaps even preferable – to hold two meetings to consider these. The most controversial TRO relating to parking charges could be considered at one meeting, and the remaining orders at the subsequent meeting. I appreciate this suggestion would be out of the ordinary, but as the committee has met on just 6 occasions during the past two years, I don’t consider I am asking for an intolerable burden to be brought to bear on committee members. 

I would cite just one recent example (though could provide many more if required) to demonstrate when the council has arranged a meeting that would meet both of my requests. A meeting was held at Levendale Primary School in Yarm between 19:00 and 21:00 to discuss the possibility of a new cycleway in Yarm – the time and venue were set as such purely to meet the needs of residents. 

I see no reason why similar arrangements could not be made to hold the meeting(s) on an evening in Yarm, with Conyers School appearing to be a suitable venue both in terms of size, ease of access and parking provision. 

I hope you will be able to accede to my request and I look forward to hearing from you. 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Cllr Mark Chatburn

Leven Park play area finally opens

After literally years of waiting, the new play area at Leven Park was formally opened for public use this morning.


The first children enjoying the new play area

The play area was subject to a thorough inspection by ROSPA over a couple of hours yesterday afternoon. As well as receiving a clean bill of health, the inspector was very complimentary of both the quality of work and the play area overall.

After a few little odds and sods were finished off by Care For Your Area first thing this morning, the play area was officially opened for use at 10:30.

The honour of being the first to use the play area went to local residents Brian and Margaret Moon, or more specifically to their young grandson, Alexander (pictured below).

(left to right) Cllr Andrew Sherris, Margaret Moon, grandson Alexander, Brian Moon, and myself

Despite the play area already being open there remains a final bench to be installed, but we are considering relocating this slightly from its planned position to benefit from the shade of the nearby copse of trees. A request has also been received for a dog tether to be sited nearby and we hope this is something we may able to provide shortly through our ward budget. Suggestions for any further improvements are, as always, welcome.

All that remains is to give thanks to Yarm Councillor Andrew Sherris, former Yarm Councillor Jenny Beaumont and particularly to (the camera shy!) Tony Raine of Stockton Council for their work and tireless dedication in bringing this scheme forward three years ago and seeing it through to a successful conclusion.

Leven Park play area to open within days

Following a site visit last week, I am delighted to confirm the Leven Park play area is now in a suitable condition to be opened.

The necessary post installation inspection by ROSPA has been arranged for Thursday 22nd August. Once this has been completed, and assuming no problems have been identified, we should be able to open the play area in time for the Bank Holiday weekend.

Whilst this is later than we had previously hoped, and whilst there are a few minor snagging issues that will be addressed by Care For Your Area in the coming days, we will finally have a long overdue play area on the east side of Yarm for families to use and enjoy for years and decades to come.

Although we have not experienced any noticeable anti-social behaviour or vandalism whilst the installation work has been ongoing, the CCTV camera will remain in place for now. The long-term need for this will be reviewed in the coming months with a view to its removal if it is felt to be no longer required.