Forum for residents of St Georges Park and Long Leys Road Lincoln

[john shipton]

Had a leaflet posted through my letter box last night giving details of a public meeting to be held at the Queen of the West public house on Moor Street which is in the West End of Lincoln.
It has been organised by Friends of the West Common.
It is for this evening, Wednesday, 18th July, and starts at 8 pm.
It is in response to the Conservative ruling group that now is in control of Lincoln City Council.
The news is not good for the three Commons and Alllotments in Lincoln.
What is being proposed by officers at City Hall, their recommendations and action points, could be the demise of the commons and allotments where once again the local authority will cut expenditure to the bone and the commons and the allotments are expendable.
Below are some of the things which are being discussed at the Stragetic Review Group on Thursday, 19th July. This is a group set up by the Tories for the Tory led City Council. Only the elite of the Conservatives can attend. The public and other councillors from the Labour and Liberal Democratic parties cannot attend or be there to ask questions.
The proposals and the following are suspended, subject to review:

Commons Warden
Additional finance for the commons (mainly fencing repairs)
Allotments officer
Allotments admin support
Allotments works budget
Street scene support admin staff (graffiti , bus shelters, seats, enforcement etc)
Yarborough Hill railings.
Circumstances affecting Environmental Health.
Circumstances affecting street cleaning.
These are just a few which is being discussed at the SRG.

What the ruling group will not discuss at present is how this will affect the people of Lincoln.
What has become known is that the Conservatives are aiming for a zero rated Council Tax increase from April 2008, the above items and other cuts will pay for the weekly wheelie bin collection, and they do not wish to discuss these matters publicly.
The Commons Advisory Committee which consists of residents' associations, organisations which use the three commons, Conservative ruling councillors and a few local councillors whose wards surround the commons, are being told that its four meetings per year is being reduced to two. The Conservative appointed chairman will decide when it meets, where, and what is up for discussion.
The Tories appear to be looking towards City Hall officers' suggestions and opinions whose positions are being paid from the public purse.
They are not too happy about, for example, what the Commons Advisory Panel suggest and recommend as it is costing the local authority money.
If you wish to find out more and listen and take part at the public meeting at the Queen of the West, do please come along.
All of Carholme Ward councillors will be there this evening.