The debate over Boston Business Improvement District has been stifled by the very man who was only recently quoted as saying “I welcome every thing being out in the open …”
Councillor Derek Richmond, portfolio holder for town centre development and management, car parks, the BID, markets and public toilets, has "saddened and alarmed to some degree, and somewhat amused" Councillor Richard Leggott, group spokesman for the Independents – who was a member of a committee specially set up to look at the way the Boston BID was run.
The group, which deliberated and reported during the previous administration, made a number of recommendations which should have led to improved communications between the BID and its members – who are compelled to pay a levy whether they want to be in the group or not and dragged through the courts if they don’t.
But after renewed criticism which showed that the situation had become even worse, Councillor Richmond promised a meeting with Boston BID, which was scheduled to take place on August 21st.
On Monday of this week, Councillor Leggott contacted him to ask about the outcome – without success.
He told Boston Eye:
“Having waited patiently for a promised report from Councillor Richmond on a BID discussion item aimed at improving the apparent communication problem within that organisation, I am now told by that councillor that he is not going to tell me anything at all about the discussions.
“Now, normally I would probably take that statement to indicate that discussions had been futile and/or led to an even worse situation.
“However Councillor Richmond went further in explaining that his reason for the refusal/inability (still not sure which) to update me on the matter was because I had copied some of his e-mails, which he had not specifically marked confidential, along with my own email to your column. **
“So there you have it -- the new communication policy of our administration.
“Find any excuse to tell 'em nowt!
“Do any of your readers have any information on the subject?
“I would be most grateful if any one can help. “
We would have thought that Councillor Richmond was a bit long in the tooth to take his ball away and sulk.
But his hissy fit is entirely in character, given some of the e-mail exchanges we have seen concerning the problems facing local businesses in the context of the Market Place redevelopment, and he has also shown himself to be not terribly well informed where knowledge of Boston BID is concerned either.
A classic quote came in response to the news that businesses in the Market Place were facing bankruptcy because of loss of trade due to the refurbishment project.
The reaction: “Obviously it saddens me to hear this as it is our aim to make our Town vibrant with more businesses opening, I think we all need to pull together and help where we can. Unfortunately the closure of the Market has come at a bad time in view of the current financial climate, with that in mind I do wonder if some businesses would have struggled even with a vibrant Market, don't you?”
Such a casual dismissal of problems is appalling, but to refuse to inform a fellow councillor of the outcome of an important meeting is just pathetic.
All Councillor Richmond had to do was to give Councillor Leggott the information he requested and ask him to treat it as confidential.
It’s as simple as that.
And talking of simple …
You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com Your e-mails will be treated in confidence and published anonymously if requested.
** The earlier piece referred to can be found by clicking here
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