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Real achievement (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Real achievement
12:42pm Friday 24th October 2008
Sir, – The new Yarm Town Council (which has now been in place for a year and a half) is a regular topic in the letters sent to this paper, most commonly from the “usual suspects” who lost out at the last elections in 2007 and now take pot-shots from the sidelines.
I wish to focus on the positive and significant achievements of the council, who could teach many other local bodies an important lesson.
The most visible example of its work to date was the reintroduction of the Yarm Gala. This event was attended by thousands of people from across Yarm, Eaglescliffe, Ingleby Barwick and beyond. There was a stage and live music, boat racing of every kind, tug of war, fun fair rides and the town hall was opened up for the public to see Yarm’s heritage.
Despite all this, it did not cost Yarm taxpayers a penny. Conservative town councillors did not spend public funds on the event, but sought and secured generous sponsorship from Camerons’ brewery.
In 2007, Yarm elected a Conservative town council on a promise of change, as many residents will confirm the gala is just one part of the work that they do.
Soon the newly refurbished town hall toilets will open and work is well under way to tackle other issues, from parking through to the needs of the health centre.
By organising and running the gala, chairman Jason Hadlow, vice-chairman John Whyte and their Conservative colleagues on the council showed that they really are delivering the change Yarm residents voted for.
That the cost did not fall to the taxpayer sets an example to all other local councils who might wish to do something similar. In these difficult economic times, residents cannot afford for their council tax bills to rise unnecessarily and Yarm Town Council is a setting a fine example by delivering both improvements and value for money.
JAMES WHARTON Conservative Parliamentary candidate, Stockton South.
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pjmonck, Yarm says...
9:39pm Fri 24 Oct 08
Avid readers of the letters page will recall my letter published 28th September 2007, which highlighted the shambles that existed on Yarm Council.
A year on and the council is no better, in fact it is again in chaos.
After serving less than four months on the council, James Earl resigned on August 24 but, unbelievably, despite the Local Government Acts 1972, which states that once a resignation is received by the appropriate person, it takes effect immediately, James Earl withdrew his resignation on August 28.
After being persuaded to withdraw his resignation Cllr Earl attended one meeting every six months, until April 2008, when he last attended a council meeting.
Six months and one week later, he had run out of time and should have been disqualified on 14th October 2008, but he pre-empted that disqualification by resigning.
To compound matters, at the same meeting (14th October), Peter Woods, Clerk to the Council and Philip Addison, Responsible Financial Officer, also tendered their resignations.
This leaves the council facing the possibility of a by-election and having to employing another clerk.
At the same meeting Yarm Town Council took the decision to support plans for a new medical centre for Yarm, which includes taking good “statutory” Allotment land for car parking.
This, despite representation from over 40 residents of Yarm.
It has also come to light that Stockton Council has commissioned Arup, its partner consultant to undertake a Master planning exercise for the Brickyard Allotments site, with a view to obtaining it for a car park.
We all know Yarm has a traffic problem, which goes back to the eighties, when the talk was for a by-pass, but Cleveland County Council conducted a survey in the early 1990’s which determined that Yarm’s traffic was, in the main, locally generated.
Yarm’s traffic problems have been compounded over the years because Stockton Planners have allowed development on every available piece of land for housing, to the point where now there is no available site for an off street car park. (More houses mean more council tax for Stockton).
Stockton Council employed a firm of consultants about 2001/2 to carry out the Yarm Parking strategy, this report, by White, Young, Green suggested that the Brickyard Allotments would be suitable for a car park.
Yarm Town Council voted unanimously against this proposal in 2006
At a time when Government is encouraging everyone to have a healthier lifestyle, and in the present economic climate, when people are asked to be more self sufficient, Stockton Council want to destroy one of Yarm’s only leisure facilities, in order to tarmac over the allotments. These allotments have been in existence since 1890 and are part of Yarm’s diminishing heritage.
Who is paying for all these consultations? the people of Yarm.
Stockton Council takes over £5 million pounds in Council Tax from Yarm and we get very little in return, we do not want our allotments turning into a car park.
Yes, we all support a new medical centre for Yarm, but the doctor have brought plans to the council 4 months ago that did not include allotment land for car parking, suddenly, when Stockton Council again try to turn the allotments into car parking, the doctors decide to change their plans to include part of the allotments.
Yarm Allotments Association will resist any attempts to dispose of the Brickyard Allotments.
Its time for Stockton Council to stop trying to take our allotments away, and it is time Yarm Town Council stood up for the people of Yarm, instead of bowing down to their political masters.
Peter J Monck
Former Yarm councillor, 1991 - 2007