Hyperlocal Political Questions
Questions that I would be asking of any candidates standing in the Wivenhoe Quay ward for the Colchester Borough Council elections taking place on 3rd May, *should* they ever get round to doing the door knocking thing:
1. Do you support the aims of the Wivenhoe Community Trust in making available the St John’s Ambulance Hall along Chapel Road a community facility? Please put your name formally on the record to either support or oppose this plan. If the project is opposed by you, what use would you like to see for the old chapel instead?
2. Do you agree to the *possible* compromise that is being ‘suggested‘ with regards the University’s multi-storey car park? Would you be happy to see the structure being built, with the *possible* compromise deal of the University funding a cycle track between the town and campus, just so the car park isn’t opposed by the CBC Planning Committee?
3. What is the best pint in the town, and in which pub?
The answer to one of these questions would seriously influence my vote. Hearing hyperlocal voices commenting on the national political agenda is a catastrophic turn off, Comrades.
If you don’t get round to the door knocking thing, then confirmation from any of the candidates would be most welcome in the comments box below…
Knockety knock.
25/04/2012 at 11:22 am Permalink
As a member of the planning committee I would not be able to comment upon any of the planning applications. However the best pint to my mind is always at Wivenhoe Town Cricket Club its as much for the company as the Beer itself (usually a diet coke or a coffee if I’m Honest) hope this helps with the survey
25/04/2012 at 5:23 pm Permalink
I’ll come off the fence on this one. I’m against the Planning Application for the St John Ambulance Hall. There is a derth of Community Buildings in the town and the prospect of losing this hall would make matters distinctly worse.
Likewise with The University MS Car Park application. The provision of a cycle lane between The Flag and the University is an undoubted blessing but has the Uni done enough to encourage alternative transport options?
The best pint ? Simon’s Adnams Ale at the H & G takes some beating…
25/04/2012 at 8:24 pm Permalink
A question I’d ask as well is why, if (as they all state) they are so committed to local issues, they find it necessary to stand on a party platform rather than as Independents?
25/04/2012 at 10:16 pm Permalink
When it comes down to it, one of my biggest concerns with the plan for a car park for campus is the potential effect on the environment and how it would just encourage unnecessary car usage with all the extra space available. However, at the same time it was always slightly inevitable something like this would have to happen given parking’s an issue which has dogged the university for years. I could settle for a compromise where a cycle lane is the trade-off for allowing permission for the car park, but I also want to see more done on the reliability of the local bus services (I waited about half an hour in the rain for one to campus this afternoon - ridiculous!), as well as measures to encourage carpooling (separate area within the car park for carpoolers only?) and for the solar panel plan to be followed up on for it.
On the pint question - well, I’m a bit biased but I’d go for one in the campus’s Top Bar! A cider in the Rose and Crown by the quay is bliss in the summer though…