It's your shout...... reader's letters

Chris Willmott

01 May 2008

There’s a certain amount of irony to the fact that less than half of the eligible voters in Solihull will turn out to vote in the local elections this week while people in Zimbabwe risk a beating and worse for the right to vote for the candidate of their choice.
It’s been a long time in Britain since the right to vote was an issue. In fact it’s 90 years since the suffragettes sacrificed their lives for women to get the vote (something I remind women who say politics has nothing to do with them).
So I suppose it’s not surprising that many people are complacent and even cynical about democracy in Britain. I stand on doorsteps all year round and get a huge variety of responses. Some think it’s not worth voting because all politicians are self-serving and are only in it for themselves.
While it’s true there’s a certain amount of kudos in being an elected representative, this is more than paid for by the amount of hours and dedication most spend in serving the people who elected them.
One man last week said to me ‘I’ll vote when they invent a party which represents MY views’. That’s a bit of a problem: we can’t have 50 million parties, so we coalesce along a small number of views of the world we live in and try to create coherent policies which fit in with this view.
And when insufficient regard is being given to a particular aspect of policy, new parties arise, like the Greens, UKIP and the BNP. If the main parties want to keep their electors they must pay attention to these views.
But at local level, many people feel that the person is more important than the party. That’s why we get independents who stand on their own platform. Maybe the man on the doorstep last week should stand as an independent if he feels strongly enough about it.
But there’s the rub. At a local level, being a councillor is a pretty thankless task. You put your head above the parapet and spend endless hours trying to resolve your constituents’ problems and making decisions about the communities you serve on committees. And in Solihull this is all for the princely sum of about £6,000 of expenses for a back bench councillor.
Where there is power and influence to be had, some will always be weak enough to be seduced into serving themselves instead of the people who elected them, but on the whole your local representatives deserve your support on polling day. The alternative is far, far worse.
Lorely Burt MP
Solihull

I would like to squash any rumours which may be circulating regarding the proposals for a major development of 119 housing units on the land currently used by Solihull Pertemps-Bees Rugby Club. The facts are as follows:-
The majority of the land used by the rugby club belongs to Solihull Council and is currently leased to the club. The lease expires in 2090
Solihull MBC has not sold this land to the rugby club, to a developer or indeed to anyone.
There is no agreement in place to sell this land
A presentation by developers has taken place and I understand that a major planning application is to be submitted shortly.
I am currently supporting residents in their objections to these proposals
It is important that local residents are aware of the above points. I understand only too well the concern and upset which can be caused by rumour and innuendo and I hope this letter will help to set the record straight.
Cllr Kate Wild
St Alphege Ward

We feel sure that readers who have been following the "Heart of Shirley" saga would want to know that there is a public inquiry commencing at 10 am on Thursday, May 8th at the Council Chambers in Homer Road. The inquiry, which could last up to 8 days, concerns the Compulsory Purchase Orders to enable the development to proceed. It also covers the closure of a service road, and an order to close the existing park footpath from Haslucks Green Road and lay a new one skirting the proposed ’temporary’ car park to be laid within the park. As residents and park users we have objected to this order, and along with many others, we have genuine concerns about the proposals for the footpath.
The public inquiry is open to the public, and if you wish to address the Inspector you can contact the Council, or attend the inquiry on the opening day (8th May) to tell the Inspector that you wish to speak.
We understand from Inquiry documents that several business owners and also local councilors have objected to the Compulsory Purchase Orders. At the time of writing we do not know the date on which footpath objections will be heard. We hope this will soon be posted on the Council website and also on www.keepshirleyalive.org.uk
Richard Wise
on behalf of Keep Shirley Alive

LOCAL papers everywhere are filled with stories of outraged residents appalled at some action of their council - every now and then those residents are entirely justified.
That is the case with a story you report on last week - the ghastly CCTV columns erected on Henley's ancient and beautiful High Street, (Anger over new CCTV cameras).
Which bright spark came to the conclusion those columns were the right solution to calls for camera coverage in Henley? Somehow I don't think unsightly, over-sized and down right dangerous poles with tiny cameras fixed on the end were what Henley had in mind.
Can anyone think of anywhere else with similar structures? Stratford, for example? Surely the most famous market town in the country must be a Conservation Area too? Aren't there problems there with installing cameras on building like the good people at the district council claim there are with Henley, resulting in the pole solution? Funny that because I don't recall any CCTV columns outside Shakespeare's Birthplace or in the pretty streets of Old Town. I guess here in Henley, we're simply not deemed World Class.
William Franklin,
Via email

THE CCTV columns in Henley should be removed immediately.
As they are in a conservation area, they should be subject to respect by those council officials who purport to protect the visual quality of our town. It is not just the buildings that constitute a Conservation Area; it is, as it states, the area, which includes superfluous, ugly street furniture. Surely it is not beyond the power and comprehension of man to fix such small objects in a more discrete manner?
Vincent Ford,
Local architect

I AM surprised that anyone in their right mind would allow such unsightly structures to be installed without any thought to the historic and famous surroundings
of Henley High Street.
These columns,reminiscent of "Docking Posts" as used in the 30/40,s for tethering "Air Ships" should be removed and the cameras sighted in more sensitive positions on structures more pleasing to the eye and less obtrusive to the surroundings.
Yes - we are delighted to have the added security the cameras bring, but lets have sensible decisions with local feelings and opinions taken into account.
Gordon Whitehouse,
Via email

Borough must use its vote»

It's your shout...... reader's letters»

Hitting the fundraising trail»

No long faces as Donkey Derby returns to Shirley Park»

Appeal after train assault»

Catastrophic incident avoided at Birmingham Airport»

Specialists called in to remove asbestos at Tudor Grange»

Could you be the new face of Touchwood»

Hitting the gym trail»

How does your garden grow?»

Best foot forward for charity»

Tree of hope»

Mortality rate gap widens between north and south»

Message in a bottle»

TRAIN ASSAULT »

Woman assaulted at Hall Green Station»

Much Ado back at Waterside»

Art to go on show»

Kooks are back with their second brilliant album»

Town singers and comedian unite for charity show»