Originally Posted by Graham Jones

Planning lawe is very strict and non flexible.[because an appeal in court can be costly to HBC]. Its about ticking boxes. Health and Safety, access, use, character. very few decisions fall in the grey area and if so, they go to the Planning Committee.

This would go the planning committee but not based on personal views, but strict planning law and regualtions criteria.

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

I'm not fully following your argument, Terry. My understanding - and correct me if I'm wrong - is that the Panopticons are the brainchild of MPAA and that they would provide the initial capital funding. Further silver would come the NWDA although as to what purpose was never clearly identified.

MPA are handling the scheme but the Regional Park & NWDA are the funders and Regional Park is the long term agenda. To add to it RIBA ran the initial contest for designs. MPA are running to projects LAND and PANOPTICONS for the Regional Park [ELP]

Like most good people of Accy/Hyndburn, one look at the proposed designs is all that was needed to convince one that this was not only a colossal waste of money but a desecration of that lovely landscape, namely the coppice.

Everyones got a personal view on this and as long as it is an informed one, thats all I am bothered about.


Irrespective of Britcliffes' posterings, are you telling us that you abstained on the vote on this?

Yes. We decided not to play political games. Having the Labour Party vote yes and Conservatives no would have detracted from the debate and not added to it because of the way the controlling group works. It was a cabinet decision. Several of us that had an opnion expressed it in the press. Well a paragraph for two us actually.


Could you tell us why? Councillors are elected - irrespective of their party - to make decisions on our behalf. We are not interested in empire building or grand titles, but simple and effective decision making. If you can't do it, then I suggest you don't stand next time round.

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

Like most good people of Accy/Hyndburn, one look at the proposed designs is all that was needed to convince one that this was not only a colossal waste of money but a desecration of that lovely landscape, namely the coppice.

Irrespective of Britcliffes' posterings, are you telling us that you abstained on the vote on this? Could you tell us why? Councillors are elected - irrespective of their party - to make decisions on our behalf. We are not interested in empire building or grand titles, but simple and effective decision making. If you can't do it, then I suggest you don't stand next time round.

Originally Posted by park381

Originally Posted by Graham Jones

Well if I had my way I would burn the constition so we could end political games for ever and do as you propose. However the current Conservative group have a mandate from us the people and that includes political games. Thats democracy. Vote Labour and I'll personally persue the end of silly nonesense. As for resigning. I work hard for Peel. Very hard. And when Labour lost 500 seats last summer my percentage went form 65% to 69%. People outside Peel may not know me but people here do.


Oh and I am here to take critsism, I am not always right, I expect anything I say to be thought about and challenged because thats progress.

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

I'm with Tealeaf on this. I don't give a hoot that the funding for the pantopticon comes from external sources. I just don't want to see any ludicrous structure on top of the Coppice. It would appear from the Observer poll that the majority of Hyndburn resident's don't want it either. For once it seemed that popular opinion was being listened to.

We need councillors who are interested in what the people of Hyndburn think. To abstain from voting for reasons not connected with the panopticon itself strikes me as somewhat irresponsible.

Originally Posted by Graham Jones

I take in board what you say. It was thought about. However Hyndburn if you hadn't noticed is going down the pan - £27m in debt now - and the issue isn't the Panopticons, and making a political show out of the Panopticons is not the answer to our problems. As I said. Britcliffe knew he'd suck a lot of people in with this issue rather than the budget. It is important to stay focused on priorities. Its hard but you have to be realistic.

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

Actually, Graham, its good to see a Councillor on here and making such a contribution. I wonder what your opinion is on that other colossal waste of money known as the HyndburnLife site?

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

Hold on a minute...was this the meeting that was deferred because of the Walkers/Dingles kick about last tuesday? May I ask if you voted to defer this meeting and if so what your vote was?

Originally Posted by Graham Jones

I'll take any critsism as long as its constructive. A lot of people think councillor, freeloader, likes his own voice etc... I work in factory and live on a poorish street in a poorish [and declining] neighbourhood and pay taxes as anyone else. How will the Panopticon alter the problems around here?? It won't naerly as much as budget decisions - like wardens. The budget is the priority not Panopticons.