In a message dated 18/12/2002 13:46:50 GMT Standard Time,
chris.hastie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.gov.uk writes:
Subj:Re: Exit Interview
Date:18/12/2002 13:46:50 GMT Standard Time
From:<A
HREF="mailto:chris.hastie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.gov.uk">chris.hastie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.gov.uk</A>
Reply-to:<A HREF="mailto:uktc@xxxxxxxxx.co.uk">uktc@xxxxxxxxx.co.uk</A>
To:<A HREF="mailto:uktc@xxxxxxxxx.co.uk">uktc@xxxxxxxxx.co.uk</A>
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TreesonBC@xxxx.com <TreesonBC@xxxx.com> wrote:
I'm a bit steamed up as I have just consulted residents about
planting a small group of trees on a large green desert of mown
grass and got only negative responses veiled in "Don't get me wrong,
I love trees but . . . ." language. I suppose the rest of you are
used to this.
Better known as NIMBYism. It would be interesting to know how you
presented your proposals. Speaking personally, I think that a
written plan with reasons, sent to those concerned, or perhaps the
parish council, and requesting WRITTEN submissions, is the way.
Making the public do some work and to have to go to some trouble can
soon sort the men from the boys. Allowing verbal comments first just
gets a knee jerk reaction and lets the vocal minority have their say
This may be a useful way of 'sorting the men from the boys', but don't
we have a duty to consult the boys as well?
Of course, and it can be very difficult to know exactly who to consult. But
I still do not think it unreasonable for those consulted to give your
proposals (which you probably thought out carefully) due consideration.
Possibly your suggestion
would lead to good quality responses without excluding anyone in rural
Herefordshire / Worcstershire (sorry, can't remember which side of the
border you are).
Herefordshire. But the position is much the same here. Always the same
people involved, with the greater mass feeling free to comment adversely
later.
But in inner city Nottingham it would be wholly
unacceptable on equal opportunity grounds. We need to be seen to be
offering the chance to respond to all sections of the community,
including those with literacy problems, impaired vision or whose first
language is not English. To that end the proposals must be expressed in
an accessible form and we must be prepared to accept comments in
whatever form residents find it easiest.
I agree with all that (except the foreign language bit, but we won't go into
that). But even if you do all that it will only be a small % who comment.
Personally I would not ask before I thought out my proposals. That would not
be arrogance to think that I know best, but because I think that people
comment better with a 'target' to aim at. If you ask 100 people what to do,
you are likely to get 100 different answers.
As I said elsewhere, don't think that I am suggesting that it is easy. Far
from it, and it is something that LAs don't shine at.
Incidentally, we lived in Nottingham for 10 years. W.Bridgford to be precise
(you will appreciate the distinction). When will the SuperTram start?
Peter Bridge
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