Thursday, 20 February 2014

Bolton News - Even more letters





To Frack or Not to Frack       (sent 13 Jan 2014)

Dear Sir

As one of the many people living in Fuel Poverty in the Borough, I eagerly look forward to the Council being seduced by the loads of dosh the Government is offering for each Fracking site allowed by Local Authorities.

As for location, Cutacre seems favourite since the Council could probably make more money from this as opposed to a few warehouses.

Failing this, there’s always the old Manchester Rd Tech site or where the Odeon used to be since nothing much seems to be happening there.

One of the benefits might be that the Council could avoid putting Council tax up next year and, as an added bonus, my gas bill would come down.

Just a thought.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever
..............................................................................................................................................................


Too Little Too Late       (sent 28th Jan 2014)

Dear Sir,

How could I disagree with Rees Gibbon when he belatedly prophesies traffic misery for the Racecourse estate at Little Lever as a consequence of the Tesco development.

If he had lent his weight to the campaign against this, which ran from the end of May 2011 until September 2012, then perhaps there might have been a different outcome.

A cynic might say that unlike this year, he wasn’t putting himself forward for election as a Conservative Councillor during that period.

Too little –too late, one might say.

I look forward to many more letters from him between now and May 22nd.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

...............................................................................................................................................................

A Pending Crisis in Home Care      (sent 31st Jan 2014)
 
Dear Sir,

In June of last year you published a letter from me on the subject of Homecare for Adults which concentrated on the inadequacy of 15 minute visits and the iniquity of effectively paying Careworkers less than the minimum wage.

In October Councillor Andy Morgan addressed the same subject and suggested a minimum visit time of 25 minutes.

In her response, Councillor Linda Thomas seemed not to understand what the problem was and defended the Council and the status quo.

Since then, I have received a letter on the subject from the Care Minister, Norman Lamb, the Department of Health has conducted a survey on Homecare and the new Care Bill is currently at the Committee stage in the House of Commons.

In his letter, Norman Lamb states:- .   

“Ministers know that there are practices in the home care sector that cannot be allowed to continue. These include:

-     Care by the clock, whereby care workers can have as little as 15 minutes to provide care to someone.  All too often, this results in rushed, poor quality care or even missed visits. Users of services can be left waiting to get into or out of bed, to get washed, to eat and drink or take their medication, whilst care workers can become stressed and demotivated;
-     Abuse of minimum wage laws, so care workers earn less than the National Minimum Wage due to their not being paid for travel time between calls; and
-     A constant turnover of care workers, meaning users of services can find themselves receiving intimate care from a stranger.  New staff may not always be aware of an older or disabled person’s needs.”

.........................................................................................................................................................

The Department of Health survey shows (amongst other things) that 49% of Homecare Providers do not think that Councils have a positive influence on the quality of homecare provided.

At the moment the average cost of Local Authority funded care is £25,000 per year. A Self-Funder would typically pay £35,000. The cross subsidy allows Care Providers to balance their books

However, the Care Bill introduces three separate changes relating to funding of homecare.

Without boring you with the details, the Social Care Network concludes that the consequences of these changes could be :-

• Catastrophic sudden financial failures of care homes
• Voluntary withdrawals from the market leading to less choice and competition
• More care providers accepting only self-funders
• Downward pressure on pay for carers
• Reduced staffing levels
• A lowering of standards and quality of the care provided
• Clinical risks
Adding all this up, one can conclude that  a perfect financial storm is about to hit the Adult Services Dept of the Town Hall and thus perhaps Councillor Thomas should brush up on the subject and be a little less complacent.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever
..........................................................................................................................................................


Darcy Lever - The state of Lower Darcy St       (sent 5th Feb 2014)

Dear Sir,

Your online article on Monday's Little Lever and Darcy Lever Forum highlighted the frustration of nearby residents at the disgusting and dangerous state of Lower Darcy St - this being caused mainly by the passage of bin lorries.

Councillor Connell pointed out that the street was 'unadopted' and its maintenance was thus the responsibility of the residents of that street.
Unfortunately there are no houses on that street or residents to accept that responsibility.

Councillor Connell further stated that the road couldn't be adopted until it was brought up to an acceptable standard. He suggested that aggrieved residents should enquire as to the ownership of the land on which the street lies.

I did just that on behalf of the residents.

Guess who owns it. Yes - you're right - Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council.

Paul Richardson
24 Ripon Close
Little Lever
.............................................................................................................................................................


Litter Enforcement        (sent 5th Feb 2014)

Dear Sir
Might I commend the diligence of the Enforcement Officer in prosecuting a teenager for dropping a cigarette butt in the Town Centre.
If only such diligence was extended to Little Lever Precinct where a local supermarket owner is fed up with having to clear up the mess left by an adjacent takeaway every Saturday and Sunday morning.
Whilst they are at it, they could also try prosecuting a few dog owners for failing to pick up the dog mess that is spread along half the streets in the Village.
Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever
...........................................................................................................................................................
Darcy Lever Potholes       (sent 12th Feb 2014)
 
Dear Sir,

Wednesday’s  article on the Darcy Lever potholes states that “the road is unadopted, meaning Bolton Council is not obliged to carry out repairs.”
 
The law states that the responsibility for maintenance of an unadopted road lies with the ‘Frontagers’-  ie the householders whose houses front onto the road. This responsibilty is usually laid out in their leases.
 
Unfortunately, there are no houses fronting on to Lower Darcy St and as far as I can ascertain there never have been.
 
The responsibility for maintenance must therefore revert to and lie with the Freeholder. A quick check with the Land Registry shows this to be – Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
.
So, come on Bolton Council, accept your responsibility and get the thing sorted instead of fobbing off the local residents with ‘Jam Tomorrow – Maybe’


Paul Richardson

Ripon Close
Little Lever

.............................................................................................................................................................


Town Centre Cinemas     (sent 14th Feb 2014)

Dear Sir,

The proposal to build a second cinema complex together with its associated restaurants and bars is surely welcome news.

Typically, just like buses, there are none for ages and then two come along.

Of course, the commercial viability of two cinemas in competition is a matter for the judgement of the developers. It must also be kept in mind that the Church Wharf development proposed by Bolton Council and its partners Ask and  Bluemantle, also contains a cinema. This development is currently stalled - presumably for lack of cash.

I am somewhat perplexed by the statement from Councillor Morris in which he says

“However, we made it clear to the applicants some time ago that the council was committing its support to the Market Place scheme, which includes the provision of the nine-screen cinema development and associated restaurants.”

Why is Bolton Council committed to one development over the other? Is there some material or political advantage for the Town Hall in this.?

Secondly, how will that commitment manifest itself? Will the ‘word’ be passed down the line to the Planning Committee?

Surely, the second Planning Application should be treated as dispassionately as the first and the rest left to the vagaries of market forces.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

..........................................................................................................................................................

Bolton Local Elections - Postal Voting       (sent 19th Feb 2014)

Dear Sir,

Following a recent enquiry of mine, the Electoral Commission have provided me with data relating to Postal Voting in the 2012 Bolton Local Elections.

To my astonishment, it turns out that of all the valid votes cast, 38.24% were by post – that is nearly 4 out of every 10.

They also drew my attention to a 2013 review by them where they conclude that one of the main areas of potential Electoral Fraud is indeed the Postal Voting System. They also conclude that Electoral Fraud tends to be committed by candidates or their supporters, not by voters.

Finally they observe that this kind of fraud is more likely to be perpetrated in areas populated by certain ‘communities’ rather that others.

This year in Bolton, I am certain that the Returning Officer will be aware of such concerns of the Electoral Commission and will be scrupulous in scrutinizing disproportionate numbers of applications for postal voting in these same areas.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever.
............................................................................................................................................................





Saturday, 11 January 2014

Letters to the Bolton News - (some not published) - not previously blogged











Little Lever & Darcy Lever Forum                                Sent 25th June 2012

Dear Sir,

Might I compliment your reporter Charlotte Dobson on her article last week covering matters discussed at the Little Lever and Darcy Lever Area Forum. Incisive and to the point and yet, with the addition of Mr Magee’s statement, balanced.

There was one episode during this meeting, as yet unreported, which gave me cause for serious concern.

Following my statement to the Forum that I had been reliably informed that the Public Meeting had not taken place in the form requested because Tesco had refused to attend, the Chairman stated that this was incorrect.

She further stated that the meeting had not taken place because “Some people felt intimidated”

When asked to clarify who had felt intimidated and by whom, she refused to elaborate.

This is a serious allegation which cannot be allowed to pass.

Relations and communications between Electors and Elected in whatever place, must be conducted in a civilized and temperate manner. Equally, Councillors must be free to conduct their business on our behalf without any hint of undue pressure or intimidation from whatever source, be it from inside the Town Hall or from an outside body.

This does not preclude legitimate challenges to or the holding to account of Councillors  by their electors provided it is done in an appropriate and acceptable way.

Since I am 100% confident that all of the people who wanted the public meeting have conducted themselves properly, I am at a loss to think who could have been doing the intimidating.

I am therefore proposing to write to the new Monitoring Officer of the Council to ask for an investigation to get to the bottom of this allegation.

No doubt, in due course, she will report her findings either directly or through the Area Forum.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

........................................................................................................................................



Smithill's Coaching House                                                                      Sent 1st Aug 2012

Dear Sir,

Much comment has been passed recently in these columns and elsewhere about the imminent closure of Smithill’s Coaching House Restaurant.

Having provided and taken part in entertainment there over a period of 15 years from 1994, I too must express my sadness at its demise.

It was obvious towards the end of my time there that maintaining the necessary level of trade was becoming more difficult. It must be appreciated that this establishment could and did, on occasion, seat in excess of 300 people in six rooms.

The organization and overheads involved in keeping a place of this size on the right side of viability eventually became prohibitive.

So, what of the future for this iconic building?

It hasn’t been in the ownership of Bolton Council since 1985 so they have no responsibility other than approval or refusal of any submitted plans.

Whatever the new use of the building, it needs to be commercially viable and also to respect the history and heritage of the place in line with its Grade 2 listing.

I’ve ploughed through the current Planning Application which makes clear that the proposed demolition only relates to the bits stuck on to the original building since 1966 and the plan is to restore it to its original footprint, retaining original features, particularly those within the Hunting Lodge, whilst sympathetically constructing 8 dwellings within.

The remaining properties proposed on the car parks to the rear are the means of funding this conversion.

It would be nice if some kind of Community facility could be created in conjunction with the attraction of the Hall but we all know that the public money is not available.

One thing is for sure, the place must not be left empty and boarded up for any length of time otherwise it will become the target for vandals and finish up torched - like the Greenwood.

One possible use did occur to me. It could be used to accommodate the 300 Council staff refugees from Wellsprings and Paderborn House. This would at least have the advantage of keeping the mitts of the Development and Regeneration Department off the Town Hall.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close Little Lever

...........................................................................................................................................



Councillor Thomas’ Letter 20th Nov                                      Sent 20th Nov 2012

Dear Sir,

Councillor Thomas excels in her efforts to divert attention away from any local responsibility for the Royal Bolton’s travails towards the ‘vicious Con/Dem cuts’

It would seem from recent articles that the hospital is bust, what with £3.8m seemingly disappeared/lost//misspent, having to borrow £8m from the Government to pay the wages and still facing the prospect of massive redundancies.

All this seems to have come as a bit of a bolt from the blue.

Perhaps I am being naïve, but I assumed that the collection of Directors of this that and the other, most in receipt of £100k plus per annum and overseen by the Trust Board members whose job is to – er – make sure they’re doing their jobs, might have had a glimmering, if not a faint suspicion, months, if not a couple of years ago, that the place was heading for the financial rocks and done something about it then.

It might also be suggested that a similar situation exists (with one or two exceptions) within the Town Hall structure in relation to the vitality of the Town – a problem unlikely to be solved by a couple of Hairy Bikers and a skating rink.

Perhaps an apt description of the apparent competence of the whole shooting match is ‘Poor’ (I’ve left out the first bit.)

Sack the lot – and no compensation/ payoffs.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

............................................................................................................................................



Shisha Bars                                                      Sent 1st Dec 2012

Dear Sir,

Councillor Bob Allen is completely wrong when he suggests that the owners of Shisha Cafes need educating because there may be a misunderstanding.

There is no misunderstanding and even if there was it is no defence in law. They don’t need education – they need prosecution just like the Council prosecuted Nick Hogan of the Swan.

Just in case Mr Allen doesn’t realize it, the clue to these bars is in the name - Shisha. These places are set up principally for the purpose of smoking Shisha.

Can you imagine the outcry if I re-named the Tea Room as the Village Lambert & Butler Bar and we all sat around puffing on our ciggies?

Of course it would be legal if the smoking took place in a suitably approved outside area, but in that case there wouldn’t be any need for an ‘inside’

It’s about time the Council stopped pussy-footing around the sensitivities of a large part of their client vote and applied the law equally irrespective of ethnic origin, culture or anything else

And whilst they’re at it, they could apply the same principal to the wholesale ignoring of parking and obstruction rules in certain areas of the town

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

..............................................................................................................................................
 


Preserving Historic things                                                             Sent 12th Jan 2013

Dear Sir,

How reassuring it was to learn that Bolton Council had acted immediately to protect the historic oak panels in the Shakespeare Pub.

Pity about the historic Market Hall, the historic Odeon, the historic Bolton Tech, the historic Coaching House, the historic Lending Library and the assorted historic Edwardian Schools……..make up your own list.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

.............................................................................................................................................
 


Paws for thought                                                                       Sent  24th Jan 2013

Dear Sir,
I was intrigued by your article about the lion tamer who sadly met his end in the Town Hall Square at the hands (paws) of his five lions in 1872.
Further to this, I was amused by the thought that, in their quest to reinvigorate the footfall in the town, Bolton Council might consider reviving this form of entertainment.
Perhaps this could be done along the lines of the Lions versus the Christians of Roman times.
Of course, for the Christians we could substitute local Councillors and Directors of Regeneration and the like.
That should pull the crowds in.
Just a thought.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever.
.........................................................................................................................................
 

Little Lever Precinct Car Park                                       Sent  2nd Feb 2013

Dear Sir,

Charlotte Dobson’s article about the parking disputes on Little Lever Precinct’s east car park is informative to a degree but fails to challenge the Council on the following points.

Point 1

For the purposes of parking restrictions the definition of a highway is as laid out in the the Road Traffic Regulation Act of 1984, subsequent Road Traffic Acts and subsequent Case Law - not any definition that the Council chooses to make up.

These acts and subsequent Case Law make clear that a Highway means a piece of land that the public have unfettered ability to cross and re- cross by foot or by vehicle irrespective of whether that land is Public, Private Adopted or otherwise.

Case Law confirms that for the purposes of Road Traffic Regulation Act and other Road Traffic Acts, the highway extends from the centre of the carriageway to the Building Line even if the land in between is Private.

This would mean that the double yellow lines on the north side of Fletcher St actually affect the whole of the car park.

Point 2

The Council maintains that the east car park is bounded by an historical pavement which is an adopted highway and it is the parking on this ‘pavement’ which causes the tickets to be issued.

However a map of the Precinct provided to me under a FOI request clearly shows the pavements surrounding the Precinct which are adopted highways (marked in blue) and that bounding the east car park is not thus shown. In fact the whole of the east car park including the alleged ‘pavement’ is shown as being managed by the Precinct owners – and thus is not ‘owned’ by the council. Furthermore the ‘historical pavement’ between the west and east car parks is covered by the rear of the Kwiksave building.

Point 3

The article quotes the Council as saying ‘It is the Precinct owner’s responsibility to make their boundaries clear.’ The above would seem to suggest that the Precinct owner’s boundary of the east car park is actually the kerb line.

In any event, the law say’s that it is the Council’s responsibility and theirs alone to provide adequate signing and indications so that the motorist can understand where he can and cannot park. For some reason Bolton Council refuses to do this.

I suggest that the Council obtain the originally Planning documents from Lancashire County Council to clear this up once and for all and that the Parking Enforcement Department brushes up on it’s understanding of the Road Traffic Acts.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

............................................................................................................................................




Moor Lane Bus station                                                             Sent  2nd Feb 2013

Dear Sir,

Once again, Mr Johnston regails us with his superior knowledge and involvement with important public matters - most recently about the re-location of the bus station.

He states ‘I should add that when the decision was taken to locate Bolton’s bus station at Moor Lane, I was the only member of the controlling Labour Group to have had any professional involvement in transport and one of only two people who preferred an alternative site at Dawes Street. where Morrison’s supermarket is now. I was right then, I am right now.’

Being sure that I remembered boarding the charabanc for Blackpool at Moor Lane in the early fifties, I double checked and discovered that the town's bus terminus was in fact moved from Victoria Square to Moor Lane in 1931.

Maybe Mr Johnston is older than I imagined him to be.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever.

.................................................................................................................................
 


Clear the Public Gallery                                                       Sent 28th Feb 2013

Dear Sir,

I was fascinated by your report of the public spat between his Worship, the Mayor and Mr Hanley - most recently known for his Save the Libraries Campaign.

Oh dear – when Socialists fall out.

I went to school with both of them although, as I recall, Tom’s voice was a little higher then.

My lasting memory of Tom was as a serious minded student whereas Guy was better known, shall we say, for his loudness and bluster.

Fifty five years on, I wonder if anything has changed.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever.

.........................................................................................................................................







Director in the wrong direction                                           Sent 20th March 2013

Dear Sir,

Having read with interest your article on the Greater Manchester Planning and Housing Commission study, I was somewhat taken aback by the assertion of the Director of Development and Regeneration that  “The report is basically saying we’ve been doing the right things….”

I’m not sure that many of the good townsfolk of Bolton would necessarily agree with that statement.

A further article on the same day covered his visit to the MIPIM showcase at Cannes where he laid out the Bolton Portfolio to this large gathering of international developers.

The cost of the trip we are told was met by one of the developers Bluemantle. This company, by coincidence, is one of the companies involved in a development agreement signed by Bolton Council for a 14 acre, £210m mixed use development at Church Wharf (The Leisure Zone)

This agreement was announced with great fanfare at MIPIM by Mr Davies in 2008.

Five years on, not a sod has been turned nor a brick laid.

Ditto the Central St development, ditto the Merchant Quarter. Ditto the Westbrook Gateway project and, no doubt, in five years, ditto the derelict Moor Lane bus station site.

Now I will be the first to admit that it isn’t the Directors fault that the recession has pulled the private sector investment rug from under his feet but it would be nice if we had an admission that the ‘right things’ he talks about have either been ineffectual in attracting private sector investment or have produced no result at all.

This brings into question the need for his position. If it were abolished would anybody notice? When the Director of the Chief Executives office/ Head of Legal Services/ Monitoring Officer et al was replaced by the Borough Solicitor, did everything fall apart. No, of course it didn’t.

Now I (and others) will of course be accused of ‘talking the town down’. I submit that in fact we are addressing the reality.

Perhaps all we need is a Head of Planning and to co-opt a successful businessman to sort out the towns ills. The chap that owns the Olympus Chippy springs to mind.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

........................................................................................................................................



£6m to do up private houses                                                Sent 16th April 2013

Dear Sir,

I know that Councillor Peel and I have previously exchanged views in these columns on the subject of Private Sector Housing Renewal.

The latest scheme, funded by local ratepayers as opposed to the Government, raises the same points as before.

Once again we are regaled with the emotive phrase ‘vulnerable households’ without explanation as to what qualifies them to be so described. No explanation is given as to how and by whose fault these households have become vulnerable.

For a start, by the very definition of the scheme, these people own their own houses.
Many other house owners faced with major necessary property repairs would have to take out loans or remortgage and solve their own problems.

Schemes already exist for making a house warmer. At nil cost I have just had cavity wall and loft insulation as well as solar panels fitted. No ratepayers money involved.

Apparently those on benefits automatically qualify. What kind of benefits, might I ask. Surely decisions should be made on the state of the house not the financial status of the owner.

A further question to be asked is if the Bolton Standard of decency is greater than the National Standard.

So it seems that grants (not loans) could be up to £30,000 per house – only ‘some’ of which might have to be re-paid - but only if the owners move out of (ie sell) the now more valuable property within ten years.

I have sat in many meetings with local Councillors about commercial property dereliction in Little Lever only to be told that the Council can’t spend money on Private Property.

I wonder if the Council is measuring deprivation based on the statistics of the 2011 census as opposed to the 2001 census and the 2007 health survey. Things have changed considerably since then.

Perhaps your readers could think of better things to spend £6m of our money on than this.

Forgive me once again for thinking that this is Socialist buttering up of the client vote dressed up as altruism.

Paul Richardson 
Ripon Close 
Little Lever

............................................................................................................................................



Councillor Peel’s Reply                                                 Sent 25th April 2013

Dear Sir,

I am eternally grateful for Councillor Peel’s reply to the questions I posed regarding the £6m of ratepayers money being spent on 307 private homes.

There are still one or two points which puzzle me.

I specifically asked if the ‘Bolton’ standard of decency was higher than the ‘National’ standard. Councillor Peel asserts that they are the same.

May I thus draw his attention to an extract from a report of the Director of Development & Regeneration dated 29th March 2010 and entitled ‘Housing Stock Transfer Proposal – Offer to Council Tenants.’

Appendix A – Page 11.

“If transfer goes ahead there would be a budget of around £124m for investment in the homes over the first five years to bring them up to the Bolton Standard which is higher than the Government’s basic Decent Homes Standard’

Further to this, I am still concerned with the definition of ‘vulnerability’. This, as Councillor Peel illustrates, is measured from Government downwards by the receipt of certain means tested benefits.

I would prefer to define vulnerability as to include those households where the waters of basic economic survival are lapping just below the bottom lip of income and who would be drowned by any economic shock such as job loss, boiler packing in or their ten years old car failing the MOT.

There are many people in the above situation who are not in receipt of any kind of benefit and are thus excluded from this scheme even if they don’t have a decent bathroom or kitchen or the back wall is falling down.

Finally I refer to my ‘silly’ comment about buttering up voters.

Whether Councillor Peel accepts it or not, it is a widely held perception across the Borough that the Labour Council has shown and still shows bias in its decision making in favour of -  let’s be blunt – areas with a large ethnic minority  representation (the reason being that these communities traditionally vote Labour)

The infamous 2008 Mosque pamphlet tends to support this.

True or not, this perception is divisive and will take some considerable effort from the Town Hall to counteract and correct it.

I am pleased the Council has put aside capital to help the local economy. If he means regenerating commercial property, perhaps he could start by tackling the row of shops on Bradshawgate opposite the old Tramsheds

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

.........................................................................................................................................



The Police & Crime Commissioner and Plain Packaging of Cigarettes.                                                                     Sent 2nd May 2013

Dear Sir,

In responding to the letter from Suleman Khonat about the plain packaging of cigarettes, I don’t at this time wish to comment on the pros and cons of this issue.

What I do ask is ‘what the heck has this to do with the Police and Crime Commissioner.?’

The subject is a matter for national Government to decide one way or the other.

Mr Lloyd’s remit is to devise a five-year strategic plan for Greater Manchester Police and hold Sir Peter Fahy, the force's Chief constable, to account.

Laws already exist to cover the purchase of tobacco products by underage people and officers also have discretion in dealing with, shall we say, a 12 yr old caught puffing away on a ciggy.

Mr Lloyd may urge Sir Peter to prioritise the enforcement of the existing law – as if he, Sir Peter, hasn’t got enough problems to deal with – but I doubt if the public of Greater Manchester (with the exception of the fascist anti-smoking brigade) would see this as a major reason for paying this guy £100,000 a year.

This is the problem with electing politicians to these posts. Once a politician, always a politician.

My reminder to Mr Lloyd would be that he is no longer in Parliament and my recommendation to him would be to ‘butt out’ of this subject and concentrate on supporting Sir Peter in tackling the real crime problems of the area. a task in which he is already having a large measure of success.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

....................................................................................................................................


The failing Market Place                                      Sent 2nd May 2013

Dear Sir,

Upon reading Robbie Macdonald’s article about the Market Place in Wednesday’s edition of your paper, I was taken aback by the sheer brass neck of the soundbites and platitudes expressed by Bolton’s Director of Development and Regeneration.

Talk about the people who caused the problem in the first place pretending that they can now contribute to the solution!

Let’s face it, the place is bust and is now owned by the bank who lent them all the money in the first instance.

For what ever reason, be it exorbitant rents and rates or sheer lack of footfall and consequent lack of turnover, the modern, trendy and dare I say poncy businesses which have occupied this venue in recent years are voting with their feet and and moving elsewhere.

I wish London and Associated Properties well in their striving to find new occupants, but I would recommend to them that the last thing they need is for people with no business acumen and a track record for laying waste to the town sticking their oar in to what is a most difficult commercial situation.

Measured by the degree of success that is now plain for all to see, the Council were wrong in 2005 and would also be wrong in 2013.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

.........................................................................................................................................



The Meccano Bridge                                                2nd May 2013


Dear Sir,

I was immediately cheered up by the photograph submitted by Robert Neild of the new Meccano Bridge at Little Lever.

Just in case any of your readers were mislead, I must point out that the picture has been ‘photo shopped’ to include the water and canal boat since in fact the canal is not yet in water.

Might I also say that the original location of this ‘art project’ was supposed to be the Melrose Basin in Little Lever  - not Nob End.

The inspiration for the new location came from The Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal Society whose long term ambition is to mend the breach, restore the locks and put the canal back in water.

I am sure that they would appreciate any offer of donations or voluntary work towards this end.

Unusual it might be for me, but I have to give due praise to the artist, Liam Curtin, Bolton at Home and Bolton Council for this breath of fresh air in an otherwise stagnant atmosphere.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

....................................................................................................................................



Moor Lane Bus Station                                                           Sent 5th June 2013

Dear Sir,

Seeing that it seems we are stuck with the new, overpriced bus station complete with showers for cyclists (?) and easy access to a railway station that is having some major routes withdrawn, the question arises as to the future of Moor Lane bus station.

I recently visited Bury with its seamless shopping experience of car park through to outside market through to inside market through to Mall.

Noting that Bolton Council is always lauding the market at Ashburner St and is spending £5m on refurbishment, I have come up with the brilliant idea of extending it across Ashburner St and covering half of the bus station land. The other half could be a free car park.

By pedestrianising Ashburner St down to the Arcade and taking up Tasos’ idea of covering Newport St from Great Moor St to the Town Hall Square, we would start to get some kind of joined up shopping experience.

Now that’s Development and Regeneration for you – and I don’t get paid £110 thousand a year.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

............................................................................................................................................


Apologies to Brian Derbyshire                                                  Sent 10th June 2013

Dear Sir,

I must offer my profuse apologies to Brian Derbyshire for seemingly purloining his idea of extending Bolton Market onto the Moor Lane site.

The main point I was trying to illustrate was the creation of a seamless joined up shopping experience for visitors with a 3 hour free car park linked to the expanded Market linked to a covered - in Newport St and beyond.

This is in stark contrast to the apparent vision of the Council to force visitors to use multi stories on the edges of the town (some not yet built) or a bus terminus sufficiently far away from shopping areas and the Market for it to be off –putting.

In both cases there are funding hurdles to overcome, but before the funding must come the Vision and I think the Council’s vision, inasmuch as it has one, is flawed.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

................................................................................................................................................



Little Lever Post Office                                                             Sent 10th June 2013


(Dear Ed – In anticipation of your forthcoming article)


Dear Sir,

I was pleased to read about the Grand Opening of the re-furbished Post Office in Little Lever Village Centre by our MP, Yasmin Qureshi.

This is the first time I’ve seen her in the Village since just before the 2010 election.

The investment in the Post Office is reassuring since it would seem to indicate that this is one Post Office not under threat of closure and it therefore must be seen as a ‘plus’ for the Villagers and beyond.

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

..............................................................................................................................................



Crisis in Home Care?                                                                            Sent  19th June 2013

Dear Sir,

It has been commented on nationally that the Care Minister, Norman Lamb, has called for everyone from frontline staff and service users to managing directors to submit ideas on how to make the home care system work.

Since much of this system is funded through Local Authorities, it is incumbent upon each Council not just to stump up the cash but also, and more importantly, to know and ensure that the care provided to each ‘client’ is both of the highest standard and tailored to individual needs. It cannot be sufficient for this function to be left to the Care Quality Commission alone.

I should imagine that many of the care workers at the coal face, who see their work as a vocation rather than just a job, are increasingly frustrated by the lack of time allocated by their employers to each visit. Ten minutes here or fifteen minutes there is hardly time for the kettle to boil let alone to join in what might be the client’s only conversation of the day or enquire after their further needs.

All this, including minimum wage rates and in some cases zero hours contracts, is driven by cost cutting and it doesn’t matter who’s fault it is that that cost cutting is necessary.

It is beyond doubt that Bolton Council has attempted to protect front line Adult Services.
What is not clear is whether or not the Council has its own in-house inspection regime which randomly visits clients in their homes to ascertain if they are satisfied with the service being provided.

The only question which ought to in the minds of everybody involved, from the top of the Council to the lowliest frontline worker, is “Would I want my own mother/father to be cared for in this way?”

Paul Richardson
Ripon Close
Little Lever

....................................................................................................................................