Granbassadors!

… but what did

the visit achieve? 

It appears that unbeknown to us all, two veteran Worst Street councillors have been waving the Boston UK flag across the Atlantic in Boston USA.

As you’ve seen above, the duo we have previously dubbed the Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson of local politics  took the mic for a speaking engagement last September 10^th in the 290 year-old Old South Meeting House, which is now a museum and National Historic Landmark in The Other Boston.

*** 

But what was it all about?

The event was a discussion called Boston: Then (1618) And Now (2018)

The preamble to it mentioned the Partnership of Historic Bostons which was formed in 1999 “to recognise and celebrate the unique historical connections between Boston and its English namesake city”
Despite a search we could find no links between that group and the Austins … although a modern day Mayflower Compact was signed by Mrs Austin during her mayoral year in 2014 and formally launched a year later during Mr Austin’s time in chains. The document notes the 400^th  anniversary in 2020 of the sailing to the New World of the Pilgrim Fathers, and has little to do with Boston.

***

But back in the now, last month’s event  invited us to “join visiting dignitaries from Boston, England, for a panel discussion about our ‘parent’ town and its challenges through the years, beginning 400 years ago with the Great Migration of 1618-1640 through to the intricacies of Brexit.”

***

Mrs Austin was introduced as having served as secretary of the Boston Heritage Forum, which seems to have gone very quiet since its last newsletter was published on WorstWeb in September 2016 – shortly after it received almost £10,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, “for a project to strengthen governance, provide expert advice on an appropriate group structure and constitution, and consultation on which heritage projects in Boston they want to prioritise taking forward in the next three years.” 

Mr Austin, we were told, is preparing an illustrated booklet summarising the Boston area’s heritage over the last 1,000 years as well as leading a group preparing a heritage conference planned for September 7^th 2019.

Accompanying our two local dignitaries was Boston-born historian Neil Wright who over more than fifty years has written many books and articles about our Boston’s history.

On three occasions he has been Chairman of the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology, and is currently writing a book on Boston in the Georgian period, between 1766 to 1852.

***

The event appeared on the Forum Network of WGBH – a public radio station and an affiliate of Public Radio International – which is funded by the 180 year-old Lowell Institute … a US educational foundation providing both free public lectures, and also advanced lectures.

During the mid-20^th century, the Lowell Institute decided to go into broadcasting creating the WGBH-FM radio station in 1952 and the WGBH-TV television station in 1955.

The WGBH Educational Foundation is now one of the largest producers of public television content and public radio programming in the United States with a budget of around $200 million.

***

Mrs Austin talked for about 15 minutes – unfortunately without using a microphone, and therefore audible only with difficulty – covering Boston from when Noah was a lad rather than starting in 1618.

The talk was illustrated with slides and included a faux pas when Tattershall Castle – ‘another famous landmark’ – was identified as the Parish Church of St Andrew when the slides got mixed up.

If it was possible, Mr Austin’s contribution was even drier than his wife’s, beginning with the claim that ‘Boston feeds the nation;’ and including the word ‘packhouse’ – which was probably alien to his American hosts.  He also touched on the plight of Boston’s ‘biggest employer” … the Pilgrim Hospital … concluding “watch this space.” 

Watch this space indeed - attendance was scarcely spectacular

In a talk lasting less than two minutes, he told his hosts: “In Lincolnshire there’s a growing visitor and tourist economy but it’s relatively undeveloped in Boston and something we would like to rectify – and that’s one of the reasons for our visit.”

He neatly airbrushed the pressures caused by immigration with the line …

“Boston regards itself as a market town that is isolated by the other parts of the UK –incomers find us a good place to live, but locals who live there all the time don’t always appreciate that.”

And a speech by Mr Austin wouldn’t be complete without a bit of media bashing.
“Probably as with you, the local media tend to concentrate on negative stories which give a misleading impression.”

We doubt that such a problem exists in Boston, USA – with more than thirty papers available to readers.

***

So what’s it all about?

An illustrated talk that anyone could have cobbled together from Mrs A, plus an irrelevant ramble from Mr A which lasted less than the time it took to introduce him.

***

Worst Street was abuzz with questions when the news of the lecture emerged.
Certainly several cabinet members were unaware of the visit, with some thinking that a better choice could have been made from other available ‘dignitaries.’

And at the end of the day, if – as Richard Austin claimed – one of the reasons for the Clan Austin visit was to develop the visitor and tourist economy, we are unclear as to what precisely may have been achieved.

***

A reader asked Mrs Austin about the visit – and her reply raised more questions than it answered.

She said: “I accompanied my husband on a Private (sic) visit to Boston USA.

It was entirely self-funded and booked by ourselves.

“It was not an official visit on behalf of Boston Borough Council or any other organisation.

“It was timed to coincide with some of the events put on by some of the events that are put on (sic) by the Partnership of Historic Bostons every year during the weeks surrounding their Charter day.

“We were invited to join in with them; none of them were specially arranged for us.

“There were no “official” events – just ones arranged by the Partnership purely for their own members.

(“This is not dissimilar to the events regularly put on by our own Boston Preservation Trust).”

Modestly, she concluded: “Clearly the main members of this Partnership are well aware that we are councillors and former Mayors.”

***

The older we get, the more easily we become confused, but it seems to be quite a stretch of the imagination to pack a slideshow in one’s hand baggage on a private and unofficial visit.

Mrs A was billed as a speaker on the WGBH event calendar for September – which we would have thought must have appeared well in advance of the lecture.

Her profile on a list of speakers includes her Worst Street mug shot, and as with Mr Austin, her council credentials are stressed at every verse end.

And what about the personal promo at the top of this page that was also produced?

***

All those questions arise before we consider the presence of Neil Wright – who was clearly there by specific invitation.

Indeed, this was confirmed by Barry A Cotton – a descendant of Boston vicar John Cotton, who led the Puritan exodus from Lincolnshire to Massachusetts and was instrumental in the founding of that Boston on 7^th September 1630.

When asked his how the choice of speakers was made, he replied: “I would be happy to share the background of the Panel Discussion I organized with Richard and Alison Austin and Neil Wright but would appreciate knowing a little more about you and the Boston Eye.”

Sadly, once we sent the information we heard no more from Mr Cotton.

***

Worst Street has begun a bit of political sabre rattling to try to interest people to stand as councillors when all 30 seats on Boston Borough Council are up for election on May 2^nd  next year.

An item on WorstWeb asks: “Have you ever ...

Wanted to get something done for your community? Thought that the council could spend money better? Wanted to improve public services? Thought that you could do a better job given the chance? Well now's your chance.”

There follows the usual waffle about qualifications for the job and a trailer for an open meeting for anyone interested in becoming a councillor on Tuesday, October 16^th  at 6 pm in the Committee Room, Municipal Buildings in West Street, which will provide information on the election process and an overview of the role and responsibilities of being a councillor.

We doubt that there will be a need for overflow seating, TV screens and extra speakers.

***

The challenge comes at a time when we hear of growing ambitions among some of our councillors to extend their reach – and presumably their income – beyond our humble borough.

It’s said that a few of our councillors have auditioned with the Tories in East Lindsey to try to get the offer of a nomination in that district.

Who knows perhaps feelers are being put out by others in South Holland and North Kesteven as well?

We already have some councillors who can’t seem to get enough of it – the outstanding example being Tory Tom Ashton – a farmer when he has the time, but who seems mostly to be representing Old Leake and Wrangle for Worst Street and holds four other seats as well, being a Lincolnshire county councillor for Tattershall Castle,  an East Lindsey district councillor for Sibsey and Stickney, and a parish councillor for  both Wrangle and Old Leake.

Already four out of Boston’s five Lincolnshire County councillors “serve” at Worst Street as well and who knows how many will be seeking to double their money until other nominations are in?

***

By a quirk of co-incidence, we hear that some long-serving Boston councillors are being told less than subtly that it might be a good idea to take retirement from local politics and not bother to stand next time around.

Were we to be asked to compile such a list, there would be few survivors.

***

It’s hard to hear yourself speak at the moment for the whooping and hooting over Boston’s success in the East Midlands section of Britain in Bloom.

Without decrying the efforts of all those involved, we have to ask what we get out of it at the end of the day.

The detailed awards have not yet been entered on the regional results website, but if last year is anything to go by quite a lot of towns and villages will have won medals – in Lincolnshire last year there were 13.

Because of the large numbers of places taking part, an award scarcely bestows much by way of cachet – visitors don’t pay a town a special visit because it has an award … if they did we are such that the powers that ba’int in Boston would have let us know by now.

Then there is the slightly negative aspect where – in the run-up to the judges’ arrival – a specially chosen route is tarted up with the sole aim of winning a badge, whilst most of the rest of the town remains in its usual weed-strewn, unkempt condition.

Surely, if we are going to enter this competition year-in, year-out we have to find a way to make it repay all the effort and cost involved rather than creating a glee club for a prominent few.

***

It’s less than three months to Christmas – and the begging bowl is out to fund this year’s seasonal lights around the town.

It’s being rattled by the group of electricians who have taken over the project after playing a less prominent role last year.

The group has set up a crowd-funding appeal to raise £7,000 – and with so little time before Christmas they will have their work cut out for them.

One the crowd funding website, the group says: “We must raise £10,000 from local businesses and the community to receive match funding from the council.

“Already through various fund-raising events throughout the year, sponsors and donations, we have raised half of this amount towards the match funding.”

The other £10,000 is coming from BTAC-ky until 2019-20 – specifically from Controlling Migration Fund monies given to Worst Street by the government.

The group says: “Most of this money (80%) will be spent on lights for Boston, with a 10% set aside for any structural reports or pull testing required, with 10% set aside for the main Christmas tree or community Christmas tree which will be sourced locally supporting local businesses.”

The electricians say that they also “hold” more than £15,000 worth of lights bought with last year’s budget.

So … £20k if we’re lucky from crowd and match funding (which at the middle of last week stood at £45 of the £7,000 said to be needed)  plus £15k+ from lights already “held.”

If this lot gets strung around the town, Boston will be visible from outer space!

***

Response to criticism of the way that Worst Street conducts its planning business has come from the Planning Committee Chairman David Brown.

It follows comments in Boston Eye by Councillors BarriePierpoint and Brian Rush on September 3^rd and 17^th respectively.

***

Councillor Brown writes: Councillor Barrie Pierpoint complained about the ‘waste of time’ and needless refreshment of those taking part. He feels the day was too long and should be more concise with less waffle.

As Chairman it is my duty to allow every member to express their concerns on every application. I always keep an eye on the clock and when I feel enough has been said, time to move on, I ask for new comments and brief comments. That serves as a gentle reminder we have covered everything. I will never deny any member the right to speak or put a time limit on them.

With regards to the two-hour lunch break, planning an agenda is complex.  Some applications are straight forward, some are not. No one could possibly predict how long an individual application will take to deliberate upon. On the morning agenda two applications were withdrawn at the last minute. I cannot pull forward the applications scheduled for the afternoon’s session as those who may wish to observe the items may not have been present, so the morning’s agenda ended early. Members and officers took refreshment in the council chamber at a cost of £6.50 per head – just over £100. Members engaged in any meeting over four hours would be entitled to a meal allowance probably exceeding the buffet cost anyway. Over the last few months the buffet has been monitored and reduced accordingly. Little is wasted.

Councillor Pierpoint also complained about the site visit that morning, north of Boston. It was scheduled for a 09.00 start, the planning meeting back at Municipal Buildings starting at 10.30. We arrived back at 09.55 and according to him should have started the meeting at 10.00 even though we have published the start time of 10.30. Who can predict how long a site visit will take, who can predict the travel time to get back into Boston?

Finally he complained about the application in the afternoon taking nearly an hour to present. This was a contentious application, previously refused by committee but upheld at the inquiry that followed. We were dealing with the reserved matters of scale, design layout etc. Nearby residents dismayed by the appeal decision turned up in numbers to hear what they were getting on their doorstep. Any attempt by me to curtail the presentation and detail would have resulted in criticism and the accusation of gagging said officer.

Councillor Pierpoint has served on the Planning Committee before and has made a valuable contribution to debate. He is a successful businessman and must decide for himself whether time spent in the committee room outweighs time spent in the line of his business – or not.

*** 

Further down the blog of the 3rd you write “A fifty per cent unsuccessful appeal rate suggests that a little more time should be spent on the pros and cons of an application. Avoiding a rush to judgement could save us taxpayers thousands.”

I can’t win can I???

 ***

Now I would like to address the points raised by Councillor Rush in the blog of the 17th. I am not going to comment about the biomass boiler at Spalding; that has nothing to do with us here at Boston. 

I will explain how the delegated system works. Each week an e-mail will be sent to the Chairman, the Vice Chairman and the relevant ward member(s) It may ask for delegated powers to refuse or approve a planning application. Councillor Sue Ransome (Vice Chairman) and I attend the planning office every Friday morning at 10.00. There will always be two officers present. 

Mindful of comments made by ward members we ask for all the plans to be laid out on the table and a short briefing detailing why the application should be refused or approved. 

In the case of the biomass boiler we were advised Environmental Health had no objections and the flue would be re-directed to attach to the existing two storey building to discharge at a much greater height, painted the same colour as the guttering downpipe to blend in. 

Two councillors with the advice of two officers followed the recommendation of approval.

This is not good enough for Brian though, he calls for EVERY planning application to be laid before full committee giving elected members opportunity – no matter how brief – to inspect and examine possible implications. 

Well, that’s funny Brian, at the recent Planning meeting 18th September after dealing with a simple application of a barn extension you said  “I don’t understand why this is here, surely our officers could be trusted to delegate – waste of time”.

That morning’s agenda was a briefing 09.30 and the planning meeting starting 10.30. Councillor Rush turned up half an hour late at 10.00 and left the main meeting 12.52 – eight minutes before I adjourned the morning session. He failed to show for the afternoon’s session though did submit his apologies. I wonder if we should pay his £50 fee for the day pro rata as he has said before about value for money from officers and councillors alike.

Glasshouses and stones, Brian.

Peace be with you.

***

Don’t forget that we are now publishing weekly after the summer holiday season. Our next blog will appear on Monday 8^th October.

You can write to us at boston.eye@googlemail.com   

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Our former blog is archived at: http://bostoneyelincolnshire.blogspot.com  

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