After an outstanding debut there are worrying signs
that the “civilian” group which made Boston’s Christmas lights such a success
this year may lose key members and see its future under threat.
The group’s efforts this year saw Boston’s best-ever
Christmas lighting display and event calendar – putting to shame previous
efforts by Worst Street which brought Boston into ridicule last year, when the
lack of lights made the town centre resemble one of Clownty Hall’s economy
power cuts.
When the group was formed earlier in the year, it
declared itself thus: “Christmas in
Boston is a small committee formed entirely of volunteers to take on the
Christmas lights in town.
“We’re using our resources together and making use
of our contacts to make sure that Boston has Christmas lights to be proud of.
“By speaking to local businesses, we intend to
produce a plan which has the full support of the local businesses.
“We are offering a variety of options for
individuals and businesses to support us.
“While the first few years may be reliant on
donations, we expect this to become an on-going annual project by the third
year of operation, without donations required.”
***
The group was created last February as an
independent satellite reporting to the Boston Town Area Committee – known to
friends and foes alike as BTAC-ky – and was formed by community representatives
“jointly with the Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses” …
although their role somehow failed to materialise.
BTAC-KY agreed to match any money raised up to a maximum
of £10,000 – a target that was quickly achieved and surpassed.
***
But in the aftermath of the event’s success, rifts
are emerging that – instead of seeing the group going onwards and upwards to
even greater things in 2018 – could well see the committee fall apart and have
to start from scratch all over again.
***
At the end of last month, the group’s chairman Dylan
Taylor – a director and presenter at Boston’s radio station Endeavour FM – polled his Twitter followers, telling them: “I
joined a group as Chairman early in the year to complete a project. This is now
complete but the group is split,” and asking what to do next.
During the debate that ensued he passed such
comments as:
- Clash of
personalities and silly games from
both sides. Not what I signed up for …
- I've been
getting texts and calls every bloody
day trying to dictate my moves. I'm my own man. Always have been ...
- There is now
an attempt to power grab by various
entities. I didn't sign up to this …
- I don't like
being made a fool. A report is to be submitted and I don't think anybody
realises I will tell all.”
***
One report has already been circulated from the
group’s treasurer, Darron Abbott – who is also not a happy man.
His report highlights several concerns – among them
- The group
was unlikely to get paid for one tree as it appears that one/some of the
committee indicated that the tree would be free for the supply of goods in
kind. “This has not been authorised by anyone on the committee including
the chairman. As treasurer I am greatly concerned as the assets of group
are being given away.”
- “I have had
complaints regarding the group failing to meet the commitments regarding
the terms of sponsorship. One person had requested a full refund of
£1,500, but after negotiations I have only had to refund £1,000. I wait to
see if we have to refund any further amounts ...”
- At present there
is a surplus of £3,100, the majority of which it was could be carried over
to next year’s event.
- “But,” Mr
Abbott adds, “the amount is dependent on the attitude of the team of
electricians. In early September it was suggested that the predicted
surplus be divided between the committee members for payment for their
voluntary time. I was uncomfortable with this and explained that it would
not look good when the accounts were produced that showed payment to
Committee members. I have concerns that once again certain committee
members may request payment for their services when taking down the
lights.
- Going forward
it has already been declared some committee members will not give their
time freely in 2018 and will require payment. “I see their point of view
but I have real concerns over committee members setting their own
remuneration. If payment is required, in my professional opinion those
people cannot be active members of the committee but should quote and
tender for the work. As a community group we have to have full openness
and transparency. If the committee members insist on remuneration being
paid, I will resign … at the AGM.”
***
It is sad to see two of the leading lights so
disillusioned with events.
But we know from experience that there can be appalling
teething troubles within newly created groups – especially when a local
authority such as Worst Street is involved.
The fact that Christmas
in Boston succeeded as well as it did – beyond all expectations, we suspect
– shows that despite all the internal wrangling, an outcome was achieved.
By the sound of things, the stumbling block going
forward will be the inability of some members of the committee to distinguish
between the definition of the word voluntarily
and their inbred commercial reluctance to do something for nothing.
If they were to try to think of their voluntary gesture as a form of sponsorship, and made sure that their
name was mentioned in that connection to their advantage, then the gift of time
and materials would be a payment of its own.
We will keep our fingers crossed.
***
As a sidebar to recent Christmas light developments,
we have been told that claims by Lincolnshire
Chamber of Commerce that the Boston
Town Team’s willingness to get
involved were rebuffed, are incorrect.
An e-mail from Nathan Bryant, Creative Designer and
Marketing Co-Ordinator for
Christmas
in Boston, says: “I write to you as secretary of Christmas in Boston regarding your
recent communication with Simon Beardsley from the Chamber of Commerce.
“As far as I’m aware, we have had no formal offer from any chamber member
regarding the use of projectors, purchased last year.
“Throughout our meetings, no mention of the Chamber
supporting Christmas in Boston has
been mentioned by any committee member.
“Our team have had offers from Andy at Popcorn Media but at no point has the
involvement of the chamber ever been mentioned, nor contact received.”
***
Some gloomy news as Christmas approaches for wage
earners in Boston.
Official figures Tweeted
by Independent/???/ Labour Councillor Paul Gleeson says that average full-time
wages in Boston fell this year from
£21,837 in 2016 to £21,092 – “which is only £252 more than the average wage in
2011 of £20,840, whereas average rents have gone up by nearly £900 a year.
The figures come from the Valuation Office Agency and the Office
of National Statistics – and show that despite all the claims that business
is moving into the area, it is the wrong sort of business in terms of the
benefit to local people.
What can be done to address the problem is anyone’s
guess – but clearly something must happen to address this anti-social problem
for residents.
***
The figures have appeared as the announcement that
the £100 million Boston flood barrier has been approved and will begin
construction next year.
Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said: "Not
only is this fantastic news for the 14,000 home and business owners who will be
better protected from flooding – Boston's new state of the art defences will help attract investment, benefitting the
wider area.”
Her words were echoed by Worst Street leader
Councillor Michael Cooper, who declared: “This is a truly massive investment in
Boston, and a truly massive investment in
confidence in Boston as a place to live, do business and grow families and
businesses.”
Whenever announcements such as this are made, so are
comments such as those above.
In the past year or two, various new business
announcements have been interpreted to be the first tottering steps on the road
to a bigger, better and brighter Boston – but somehow, this never seems to
happen.
Whilst the barrier is a big step forward for the safety of the town – its subtext for
promotion says little more than “Come to Boston, where is doesn’t flood as
badly as other places.”
What we need now is a marshalling of the costly
resources in places such as Worst Street, Clownty Hall, and the Greater Lincolnshire
Local Enterprise Partnership to get their act together and seize on the barrier
as a focus to promote Boston to the wider world.
Then, perhaps, we might see blather become business.
***
Another politician who was quick out of the traps
after the announcement of the barrier’s approval was Councillor Martin Hill –
leader of Lincolnshire County Council.
He tweeted: “Very pleased that the £11 million contribution from
Lincolnshire CC has helped the scheme get approved. It will be great when the
town is fully protected from floods.”
Erm, excuse us?
The £11 million “contribution” from Clownty Hall was
committed as part of a water management scheme for the project.
This would have maintained high water levels so
that “a safe and reliable non-tidal link” could be created to form phase 2 of
the Fens Waterways Link – the biggest
waterway enhancement project in Europe.
Joining the Fens Waterway Link was hailed as a potentialyly major
economic and tourism boost for Boston – which would make it a stopping place on
a route which connected the cathedrals at Lincoln, Peterborough and Ely.
However, this needed further appraisal work, and following a
Lincolnshire County Council Executive decision in February 2015 and a Project
Board confirmation in spring 2015 it was agreed that the work surrounding WLM
should not delay the tidal flood defence project.
Water level management was removed from the the Boston
Barrier project and the county council “separated” their £11million
contribution.
The last report we could find said that Clownty Hall was “reviewing
how best to invest the funding to maximise its regeneration impacts and to
allow additional fund raising opportunities to be identified.”
Note the absence of any mention of Boston!
Part of the problem with trying to turn blather into business is that so many people talk the
talk – and then do nothing further.
For instance, last weekend marked the fifth annual Small Business Saturday – “a grassroots,
non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages
consumers to 'shop local' and support small businesses in their communities.”
The event was marked in various places around Lincolnshire – but
nowhere could we find anything happening in Boston … despite claims that we thrive
on the variety of our small specialist shops.
This is not the first time the event has passed
unremarked in the town, and we think it high time that our powers that ba’int
started some sort of diary so that we could stay on top of every chance to
promote the town, however small.
***
It’s not as though we lack the resources.
Recently, WorstWeb
– the council’s website told us of more funding for community events in Boston
and extra cash for town centre maintenance.
The sum involved is £86,000 of existing spend plus another £40,000 to include a new post of
events assistant and £12,000 existing support plus £41,000 for two new posts
for town centre maintenance.
Until recently, when Worst Street listed its
departmental and management structure – it helpfully indicated the number of
staff in each officer’s fiefdom.
Using the figures given the last time that this was
done we estimate that four officers
between them covered the sort of work that is now being enhanced – with a staff
of more than 100 to carry out the necessary tasks.
And we really need more, do we?
***
Meanwhile some good news for Granthamians but not for
Bostonians could be announced tomorrow when South Kesteven District Council is
expected to approve a £100 million designer village just south of Grantham next
to the proposed Grantham Southern Relief Road.
The 270,000 sq. ft. development will create 1,500
jobs and bring 130 luxury brand shops to the town.
The bad news is that the plan has been preferred
over a rival scheme by Boston retailer Oldrids – which when announced was
described as “a bid to protect the store’s future – and an existing 700 jobs.”
The move by Oldrids Downtown’s proposed a 220,435 sq
ft scheme with 107 outlets, a purpose-built home and garden centre and an
indoor leisure complex.
At the time a company executive was reported as
saying: “We are part of Grantham, we are important to Grantham and Grantham is
important to us.”
But now that things look to be taking a different direction,
might the company perhaps consider a return to its roots and investment here in
Boston where it started out in 1804.
The worrying line in the report that caught our eye
was that the Grantham development was needed “to protect the store’s future – and an
existing 700 jobs.”
The closure of two Oldrids stores in Lincoln and
Gainsborough was announced earlier this year, so things are obviously not looking
good, and the latest look at the retailer’s Companies House entries also paints
an unhappy picture.
In the circumstances, a major investment in Boston
would be unlikely – although it might help rescue the Quadrant project and
provide a rival attraction to Springfields in Spalding.
***
A few issues ago, we reported the enthusiasm of
various Worst Street councillors to throw money at Boston Stump.
Member of BTAC-ky declared themselves keen to hurl
as much as £20,000 in the church’s direction, whilst the announcement of £1.39
million grant from the Government's Controlling Migration Fund, to promote
“community cohesion” was declared to a chance to work with the Stump on their A Passion for People project' to help
improve English language skills across the migrant community, as well as
improving integration between the various communities who call Boston
home."
***
So you may not be surprised to learn that we raised
an Eyebrow at a BBC report last week
that said: “The historic Boston Stump has been given an early Christmas
present, with the National Churches Trust awarding the landmark building
£40,000.
“The grant to St Botolph's will be used for urgent
repairs to the roof and clock and to refurbish the kitchen.
“It's thought the repairs will allow parts of the
church, including areas of the tower, which are currently closed due to health
and safety concerns, to re-open.”
Surely, there are a few problems here regarding
priorities.
Whilst everyone has been falling over themselves to
throw money at a tweely-named project, behind the scenes urgent repairs are
needed to the roof whilst other parts of the building are unsafe in terms of
public access.
***
Last week’s blog drew comment once again from former
Boston Borough Councillor Carol Taylor, who remarked on a couple of items …
“Prime Minister’s Question Time is an opportunity
for an MP to ask or clarify an issue for his/her constituents.
“How sad and embarrassing to see Matt Warman waste
this valuable time by congratulating a councillor for joining the blueys as if
it was some kind of achievement.
“This councillor could have worked just as well by
continuing to be a Labour supporter and at the same time serve the people who
elected him into office.
“This councillor has done this for his own personal
gain. Thank goodness he wasn't in 'The House' when MW declared his admiration
for him.
“Looking at the video, I thought MW was going to
lick his boots.
“Brownie points for Mr Warman? I agree, from his
nose of course!”
And if that wasn’t enough, Mrs Taylor also had a go
at last week’s party allegiance swaps which saw veteran Labour man Councillor
Paul Gleeson announce as an independent
to save his chairmanship of a key committee.
“Is it possible for someone to sell himself for 30
pieces of silver twice?” asked Mrs Taylor. “Councillor Gleeson is a very
educated man and a great orator.
“How sad to see him join the Independents just to
keep his chairmanship of a committee.
“Boston Borough Council and the good people of
Boston have lost a great local politician – and for what?”
***
Which brings us seamlessly to another contribution
from our Worst Street insider known as The
Sorcerer.
After last week’s detailed and often withering
analysis of the mixed bag that makes up out council, our columnist has turned
the limelight on to the manoeuvrings by former Labour councillor Nigel Welton,
who has switched to the Conservatives, and dyed in the wool Labour man Paul
Gleeson, who has joined the so-called Independents
to save his political skin.
f there is one thing I admire about Labour Councillor
Paul Gleeson it is his loyalty to his politics.
Since his arrival at the Heart of Cabbage Land, he
has maintained a highly dignified and effective presence.
Politically speaking, Councillor Gleeson might even
be considered as the most effective Labour councillor that Boston has ever had
– and I need no reminder of whom others might think more deserving.
But are we able to say the same for what many will
consider the most disgraceful behaviour ever of ‘Labour’ Councillor, Nigel
Welton?
Somehow I don't think so....
The people of Fenside should be out on the streets –
banging their blue plastic wheelie bin lids and demanding his immediate
resignation – and regardless of one’s politics they would be right.
Let’s face it; there is no way that enough Fenside electors
would ever have voted for him had he stood as a Tory!
So let us not fool ourselves …
This is a blatant and disgraceful abandonment of the
people of Fenside and their political principles.
The Fenside electors now have no Labour representation – which is unforgivable!
Fact: Conservative
Party members are duty-bound to uphold and defend only Conservative policies and principles.
Fact: The
Labour Party ought now to find ten residents who voted Labour at the last
election to present a vote of no confidence in this ‘elected representative’
and demand a by-election.
Perhaps some historian would like to remind me of
the last time a Tory actually won a Fenside seat.
There have of course been other jumpers and switchers
– but I hazard that none have made such a wide and damaging leap as this.
From Labour to Conservatism is the widest political canyon!
It could also be argued now that Councillor Gleeson
can no longer remain on any scrutiny or decision-making panels.
Right is right!
He should also have some awkward questions to answer
given his merger with the so called happy couple of miscreant Bypassers, who
themselves are loosely supplemented by one Councillor Pierpoint – a man who may
well hold the record for the shortest-ever UKIP election victory.
Throughout all of this we are bound to question the
desperation within the ruling group.
Are they no longer able to say no to some of the latest bunch of so called dumpers, jumpers, and
grunters?
I hate to tell you that all of this is destructive
to the borough, but highly suitable for officers – not council workers – just officers.
hy would they be in favour of taking back our Market
Place ... given the cushy number they have secured for themselves?
***
Finally – a note about some seasonal publication
changes.
Next week we will be publishing our annual Christmas
card, and that will be the last blog for this year as we take an extended
break.
Our first publication of the New Year will be on Monday 22nd January and we look
forward to you joining us then.
Obviously, in the event of something startling
happening between those dates, we’ll let you know – and remember we’re
available via e-mail throughout that time.
E-mails will be treated in
confidence and published anonymously if requested.
We are on Twitter – visit @eye_boston
