04/10/2009 by Chairman.

An unusual sequence of events we appear to have witnessed over the last 10 months, have we not?

First we find the long term threat to close libraries is being repeated like the annual ‘must do’ mantra, then we find it IS actually happening, then we find our elected representatives are endorsing the closure of one of our most useful amenities and we find ourselves being an isolated corner of Wirral once again!

All seemed to happen very quickly. Staff being told they will be redeployed and preparations being made to have a redundant building secured against vandalism!

Thankfully, intervention from Central Government gave some hope to this ill-thought out, hasty decision and it would now appear has been sufficient to force WBC into a U-Turn.

Is this really a Victory? Well, if our library stays open, then yes! but at what cost? Already Councillor Steve Foulkes is hinting that whilst they will continue to operate the libraries, they will have to find the money from somewhere. Is this then, just a temporary measure to appease the enquiry and the public or will we find something equally as harsh around the next corner? From reading the local press, I fear something is looming, but we shall wait and see.

Another unusual element of this debacle I find are the words behind the u-turn. The BBC quote Cncllr Foulkes as saying “We decided to keep the libraries open because we have our residents and employees to look after. We need to give them some stability”. I ask, what has changed? Haven’t you always had residents and employees to look after? Why did you de-stabalise Communities with these threats? and why can you not concede it was a bad plan in the first place?

The Council will now have to find from the 2009/10 budget over £800,000 to fund the libraries and a further £200,000 for repairs… somewhat less than the £20M ‘investment’ in the 13 new proposed ‘Community Centres’!

Nonetheless, regardless of what has happened, whilst I am pleased Irby library (and others) have been saved, I do not believe the problem will have gone away. We have a situation where local government are having to make cut backs amounting to tens of millions of pounds, coupled with the fact central government are also opening the debate on the future of our Libraries!

Had it not been for the likes of ITPAS, the library user groups and passionate Wirral residents, I am quite sure these closures would have been completed by now. People power does actually work when enough people stand up to be counted. A brush off statement of “well I dont really use the library” is not good enough. Our children do! Books are a keystone of society and it is everyone’s right to have freely available access  to them… that is ALL people, ALL ages and ALL backgrounds!

Finally, let us now give some consideration to those who created the Strategic Asset Review and those who allowed this scandalous proposal to go as far as it did…

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08/08/2009 by Chairman.

You may have read on our website that the decision has been made in respect of White’s Farm. The Appeal Inspector appears to have supported ITPAS and others in our objections and he has made reference in several parts of his report of the issues we quite rightly raised.

This is fantastic news for us. Firstly because so many of the issues with this project have gone against us. Secondly, a lot of hard work was put in by several people making sure we got it right. What was that I was saying about professionalism?

I would re-iterate this was never a personal vendetor against the appealant, but when things happen on Green Belt and the correct procedures are not adhered to or we feel there is an injustice, we will be there.

Thanks to all those who supported us, it was very re-assuring to hear your voices too.

Tim

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27/07/2009 by Chairman.

I know I know, you’ve heard it all, read it all, been to the meetings and heard it again - it must be becoming a bit of a bore! Hopefully not because your disinterested, but I can understand the repetitive rants must be a turn off after all this time!

Well rest assured not for long. One way or another, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, we, the real tax paying public, will find our demise or victory on all these topics in the very near future.

For the committee though, we have thankfully not been turned off by the length of time these matters are taking to reach a conclusion. Yes we are worn out - tired of the same old Agenda, tired of feeling like the quiet minority or being accused of interfering busy bodies, tired of the confrontation, BUT we never allowed ourselves to be weak, we never gave up, we fought for the principal objectives that our Society is obliged to do so under its constitution - thats why you are a member (assuming that your reading this then you are!)

I also believe that we have conducted ourselves professionally over the years these matters have been ongoing. Our objections, whether it be opposed to development on the Green Belt or threats to our valued amenities, we have made our point in an assertive and professional manner, keeping within the law, not losing credibility and maintaining dialogue where possible with those concerned.When the results of the Library inquest, The White’s farm appeal, The Warrens and Hillbark Marquee are announced, we may see victory for common sense. We may also be very disappointed as if one or more of these results goes against us, then the ramifications will be hard!

Nonetheless, I personally will be content that we, as a committee, never gave up the chase. As much as we wanted to change the monthly agenda, we didn’t, we persevered, we held extra meetings, we researched the law, case studies, media, the internet, scoured high and low to make our constructive points. We turned up at the appeal hearings - (took time off work to do so!) and of course we continued as much as possible with the other ITPAS business.

Ok, i’ve made my point. We will soon be moving onward and forward. You may have already had a taste of what we intend to be about - a lot more is on its way. I’m confident that our team - the ITPAS Committee (Committed!), will move us forward with many positive projects and we will rouse your interest and hopefully many of our other neighbours, from whom we shall hopefully attract support.

Tim

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01/03/2009 by Chairman.

As technology races on, it can be difficult to keep the pace, not so much the lack of motivation to learn something new, but having the time to take something new on board then maintain it. Well, hopefully this ‘Blog’ will help.

The website host we use, provide the software, facility and space as part of our package that we pay for each year, so I thought it would be a good idea to make use of this ever growing technology and help keep ITPAS in the 21st Century!

Whilst I know this will not reach all of our membership, the ‘blog’ together with our website and its features cannot be ignored and after all, the fastest growing newcomers to the Internet are the over 50’s or ’silver surfers’! - (as they have been labelled by others).

Our main media communication (the ITPAS Newsletter) published twice a year has complications by comparison. Whilst we have always stated that the website etc would never replace our Newsletter, the material and design of the Newsletter along with printing and posting, takes time and cost much more money than the website.

Maybe this view will start a debate, a first on our new ‘blog’ or maybe we are so diverted with all the other goings on, this seems unimportant. Either way, feel free to post your thoughts and responses anywhere on the ‘blog’ and don’t forget our forum ‘The Local’ on the ‘Your Voice’ page of our website. Participation can only be a healthy thing - as Chairman and even the Committee can often feel an isololated minority, so please let us know your thoughts - it is your Society and your Community at the end of the day.

Finally, at the time of launch, there are many happenings at our corner of Wirral. We do our best to deal with the prevailing issues, sometimes with and other times without success, but more importantly, what would our community be like if ITPAS never existed in the first place?

Tim

PS - If you wish to participate in ‘The Chairman’s Blog’ send an email to webmaster@itpas.org.uk Include your name and address please as we only allow ITPAS members to participate. Not a member? then why not join - click the ‘Join Us’ link in the left margin of each page on our website www.itpas.org.uk or email us if you still think you should be allowed to participate.

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