OMBUDSMAN (update)
Feb 16th, 2009 by bobdootson
The Ombudsman have recieved the Council’s initial comments on our complaint. They now need to ask the Council for further information.
Meanwhile the Ombudsman has forwarded to us a copy of the Council’s reply, and if we want to make a comment on the reply to do so within two weeks.
The committee will be meeting to formulate a letter of comment.
Louise Ellman had it bang on when she spoke at original plans to privatise Lever Park. All she warned of is now becoming reality. Perhaps we should have more strongly resisted back then. You learn something everyday like becoming more aware daily why Swampy behaved as he did. Experience shows passive negotiating with organisations like U.U. delivers little. Perhaps some kind of direct action and publicity stunts might at least make more locals stand up and be counted and realise what U.U. are all about thereby stirring them into action
Mike Greenhalgh says “Experience shows passive negotiating with organisations like U.U. delivers little”.
I disagree, beacuse I think negotiating with United Utilities is the best way to avoid a similar fiasco in the future.
But I agree with Mike that negotiating with United Utilities NOW about Go Ape will probably not have much effect.
The lesson from the last few months is that we must be involved in negotiations BEFORE the plans become reality – and the best way to do that is to get round the same table as United Utilities and Chorley Council as a credible voice that represents the views of the majority of Lever Park users.