Dear Editor,

I am left pondering two issues about our May 1st Election:

1) Cost.
The parish council has accrued £1200 for it's contribution to the costs of the election. As there was no District Councillor being elected it is safe to presume WLDC will not contribute to the costs (despite it being collected in our rates). West Lancs will save the money they had allocated and re-allocate it to other worthy causes - Hesketh Bank lose the money. Residents of Hesketh Bank are already burdened with a significant amount of double taxation (street lighting, play areas and now road building) where we pay LCC or WLDC to (not) do the job for us and pay again through the parish precept.

2) Service.
After yesterdays debacle when the returning officer posted an impossible figure of 146% for our turnout, [see NEWS 2nd May 2008] I have this morning looked on the WLDC website for the updated information. Nothing. Let us estimate that the actual number was something in the region of 650-700 people voting (not 4519). Is it really that big a job to count this relatively small number of slips and correct this very embarasing mistake? Obviously it was and with no shame whatsoever, our WLDC employees have sauntered off for a well earned Holiday Weekend.

I would ask our new Parish Council to seriously consider that paying an overpriced bill for a dodgy service is not the best decision you might make. I beleive Robert Mugabe could have done a similar job for a fraction of the price.

J. Ball, 3rd May 208

Dear Editor,
I would like to publicly thank all the candidates who have taken the time to share with us their intentions as prospective Parish Councillors on the website [2008 Elections].

I will be casting just eight votes tomorrow - one for each of these candidates.

As for the others, please don't ever whinge about voter apathy, lack of community spirit etc etc when you yourselves cannot be bothered.

J. Ball. 30th April 2008

Dear Editor,

To be controversial (which I usually am) here are a few questions we Heky Bankers might ask before Election Day :

1. Why did issue 10 of the Newsletter "SHORELINE SUMMARY" allocate only a couple of lines to public expenditure (Parish Precepts) with heaps about the award, achievements, peripheral things, and dog muck? Dumbing down?
2. Can we hear more of the Parish's on-going debt liability from the servicing of past loans and through outstanding and current pledges of financial support to different causes?
3. At the last meeting, why did members accept just one new insurance quote for community assets and liabilities? Were other quotes received?
4. Why do members lean so heavily on the Clerk? He advises but - like the rest of us - he is not infallible.

When politicians keep us in the dark it cause the very apathy we see at election time. Thankfully at national level we have watchful journalists.

Time for better consultation locally.

Trevor Roberts, 25th April 2008

Hesketh Bank Parish Council Elections
It's Thursday 24 April. I have received my postal voting form with a list of 13 contenders for eleven seats on Hesketh Bank parish council. I have also received a circular from just one candidate and seen one from another on this website. [Click here for 2008 Election messages]
After living in the parish for over 35 years, I reckon I know around six of the thirteen hopefuls and perhaps recognise another name or two. If any of the shrinking violets would like encourage me to vote for them, perhaps they could let me know the answer to these questions, possibly by an election communication, possibly by canvassing me in person, or even via this village website: how do you propose to ascertain voter support for large expenditures on i) giving money to a private sports club without guarantee of public value? ii) reducing the HGV problem?
Ian Wells, 24th April 2008

Dear Editor

The election leaflets that have been distributed by Trevor Roberts are in contradiction to the instruction given from Electoral Commission namely in:-

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/templates/search/document.cfm/18695

Just out of interest and certain legality a known person with council experience should now withdraw his leaflets.

Regards
Norma Goodier, 22nd April 2008

HwB Parish Council

Dear Editor,

It’s nice to see someone has taken time to reply to my original letter, unfortunately the long list Cllr Goodier has supplied hardly answers my original question. I am sure every parish council could rattle of a similar list, and the point of the question was why are we in Hesketh Bank taxed the most. As J Ball stated, we are hardly awash with facilities. I fully understand there are economies of scale, but I cannot see what we are paying a higher precept for.

Kindest Regards,
Andy Parkinson, 16th April 2008

Dear Sir,
Although I emailed you the achievements, I was doing this on behalf of all the outgoing Councillors of Hesketh with Becconsall Parish Council.

I think it would be wise for prospective candidates to make themselves aware of how a Parish Council operates, especially with regards to the role of the Clerk and Financial Officer before they start promising what they are going to achieve.

Thanks
Norma Goodier, 15th April 2008

Achievement of the Outgoing Parish Council - April 2008

Dear Editor

The following are the achievements of the Outgoing Parish Council. This might also answer some of the questions raised regarding the precept:

New pram width footpath over the length of Shore Road Recreation Ground

Total Major Refurbishment of the Shore Road Play Area including fencing, new equipment and safety surfacing

Refurbishment and overhaul of Glen Park Drive Play Area

Major refurbishment of the Station Road Play Area including fencing, safety surfacing, new play equipment and CCTV

Acquisition of the railway bridge embankment from LCC for planned maintenance and landscaping

CCTV monitoring of Shore Road Recreation Ground, Play Area and Car Park

Jointly financed scheme with LCC for lighting to the full length of Shore Road

Establishment of a 'Northern Parishes Roads Focus Group' to tackle the problems of congestion and condition of roads

Major rebuilding of Hundred End Lane

Major survey of Shore Road and production of £30,000 safety scheme to be implemented by LCC

Reduction of the speed limit to the full length of Shore Road - Marsh Road to 50 mph

Purchase of speed monitoring and recording equipment

Negotiating an agreement to ensure the continued availability of the Sports Hall and Swimming Pool for the use of Hesketh Bank residents

Provision of new Bus Shelters with seating, lighting and raised kerbstones to facilitate easier boarding of buses

Provision of an hourly bus service to Rufford, Burscough and Ormskirk

Regular maintenance and cleaning of 15 wayside seats and 13 bus shelters

Establishment of a Telecoms Transmitter on the Centenary Sports Ground to provide an income to the Council of £4000 per annum and remove the possibility of the mast being installed adjacent to residential properties

Institution of a Farmers Market

Support for the proposed 'Community sports Centre' on land adjacent to the Centenary Sports Ground

Achieving the Nationally recognised status of 'Quality Control' of which we were the 440th out of 8,500 in the UK and the 2nd in West Lancashire.

Providing Christmas Trees throughout the village

Norma Goodier, 14th April 2008

Local Elections
A 2008 Local Elections page has been set up to allow ALL the people who are standing in the 1st May Local Elections an opportunity to convey their election message to local residents.
Editor, 5th April 2008

HwB Council Tax
Dear Editor,
To the casual observer, Hesketh Bank is not obviously awash with Council provided facilities and the surprise felt by many residents to discover that the Parish Council precept is the highest in West Lancashire should have been anticipated. Two weeks ago Andy Parkinson tabled a very reasonable question that has gone unanswered.

Personally, I am unsure that the duties of the Clerk should extend to justifying the expenditure committed to by the Parish Council - I would much prefer those that have been elected to take such decisions on behalf of residents to provide a brief overview of the reasoning that has resulted in Hesketh Bank being in this position.

It is not necessarily unreasonable that Hesketh Bank should pay the most. It most certainly is unreasonable that our Councillors do not feel the need to communicate with their electorate!

Regards,
J. Ball, 2nd April 2008

HwB Council Tax
Dear Editor; unfortunately I am not an HwB councillor at parish or district level so am unable to answer Mr Richard Hodson’s query.

I can explain the mechanics of setting budgets and precepts, but I do not think that that is what he wants to hear. I would suggest that he contact the clerk, or any councillor, of HwB Parish Council and I am sure that they will be able to give an answer specific to HwB. I can only speak as a councillor for North Meols .

I can only assume that they are far more efficient at setting and spending their budget than other councils. I can give an example of this from my own council.

We have set a budget this year of £70,000, but our precept is only £37,000 as we have a very large under spend brought forward from 2007/08. This had had the effect of reducing our precept. Had we not had the under spend our precept would have been about £45 on a band ‘D’ equivalent, which is considerably higher than yours.

I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful, but I do suggest contacting your parish clerk who will be able to give the information you are looking for.

Regards,
Dr David Vickers, 1st April 2008

On 18th May I had sight of TWO DOCUMENTS circulated to all Parish Council members (but received too late by one) concerning a grant of £50,000 to Hesketh Bank FC.These internal papers are not marked private (as is since alleged) and were not despatched under 'confidential' cover, but they involve considerable public finance which should be openly discussed. Good practice in our society does not condone attempts to gag any dissident elected voice from conferring with constituents, but I trust fair-minded councillors will ensure their colleague is not later intimidated from the chair.

DOCUMENT 1
The memorandum from the Parish Clerk, who is responsible for the administration of finances, reminds councillors of the controversial nature of a resolution to make this grant (support is divided) and takes the unusual step of circulating a draft letter before it is issued to authorize the payment. Some members intend to re-visit the issue and the Clerk sensibly sought prior approval. This was all on the deadline day of the letter going off unless SERIOUS CONCERN was raised. The hesitation was from someone who advises members on the consequence of their actions, and it was wise in the context of such a large council tax pay-out.

DOCUMENT 2
The draft letter to the Hesketh Bank FC certainly gave me serious concern. Line 1 'delightedly advised agreement in principle of the £50,000 grant' which was a clear commitment, but this PRECEDED 5 caveats which needed to be firmly binding in the transaction. They were weakened by the casual phrase 'Council trust these will not cause you any difficulty'. It doesn't take much business brain to know you don't put down cash to buy a car before checking the engine.

I telephoned the Clerk immediately to try to prevent the letter being sent. As a servant of the Parish Council he was very loyal in defending their decisions, but could see what I was saying. He asked me to e-mail him that day as he would be in touch with the chairman.

MY E-MAIL
I detailed the checks which any responsible financial institution makes before proceeding with an advance of money. Amateur associations are unlikely to have precise accounting controls and administrative safeguards, and informed examination of the running of the club's affairs was needed in advance of any hasty confirmation. Otherwise this Parish Council recklessly risked longer term problems over the finance which a future regime would be left to salvage.

THE REPLY
Later that day I received an e-mail which was dismissive of my intervention and declined to answer my questions. Despite serious legal implications and without any revision of the wording I now hear that the Clerk's letter was sent. It is something for which the chairman must answer .

THE CONSEQUENCE
Council tax payers will now be compelled to fund the burden of this £50,000 payment in the financial year 2007/8.

PARISH COUNCIL FIGUREHEADS
A nucleus of Parish Council members work conscientiously for the community.The village seems to have a good Clerk, but there is a history of weak and high-handed management styles at the top. The Council has at times been brought into disrepute causing public contempt and apathy. Some of us were hopeful ofr a new phase in political power, but connecting with the public and creating greater confidence is still badly lacking. We are no closer to having adequate public participation in decision-making on important issues like this, and too much communication responsibility gets delegated to the Clerk.

Trevor Roberts, 23rd May 2006

Dear Sir,
Having paid my percentage as a council tax payer for the funding of the much lauded Youth Shelter in Hesketh Bank I can only say I am not surprised that it only lasted as long as it did. The real problem, which has been pointed out by previous correspondents, is that a youth shelter alone is not enough to stave off boredom in the young and teens around the area. The ‘magic bullet’ approach of providing this shelter and hoping that it would keep all happy was laughable to say the least. There are virtually no facilities for under 18’s in this area – If they can’t get into a public house they are destined for hanging around on the streets, playing in the brass band (which is not to everyone’s taste!), or driving 10 year old hot hatches extremely fast through the village before making their way up to the bank on Marsh Road for a ‘smoke’… secure in the knowledge that no-one will ever disturb them.

The other main problem is that we are being led to believe that we have a C.S.O (Community Support Officer) on hand to actually ‘Support the Community’ – This is a great idea if you want to employ somebody to tell young children off for riding bicycles on pavements, but apart from that I see very little value in this half-way house approach to Policing our community. The fact that nobody patrols areas in Hesketh Bank and Tarleton between the hours of 18:00 and 08:00 is ridiculous. What are we left with then…? – Groups of youths and prospective Chav’s (sometimes 20+ in numbers) drinking vodka and smoking drugs whilst intimidating local residents because they have nothing better to do in the evenings – all this whilst our CSO and our elected councillors are sat in bed drinking cocoa listening to radio 4 or watching Dixon of Dock Green………

The initiatives being put forward by the parish council and the police are simply paying lip service to local public opinion. This youth shelter debacle has merely served to underline the fact that the parish council and the local police authorities are completely out of touch with the vast majority of local residents opinions and this whole episode just highlights that the local council are more concerned with providing new bus shelters and collecting overdue rental payments for allotments than they are with actually doing the job they are elected to do – Improving the quality of life for ALL local residents, young and old.

If this parish council was a commercial enterprise it would have been wound up and declared bankrupt a long time ago. If local tax payers money is to be spent funding initiatives like this then surely it would be considered only reasonable to see it supported by all the concerned agencies – not just have the shelter sited and see how it evolved. What did the council expect if the area where the youth shelter was sited wasn’t patrolled on a regular basis? All this has achieved is that rather than having the majority of youths where you can ‘keep an eye on then’ in one place, they are now dispersed across the length and breadth of the local vicinity to wreak the havoc they were in the first place – but this time with a grudge – because they feel let down by the community that is supposed to support them. A few bad apples have spoilt this initiative, but I can’t escape feeling that this was allowed to happen due to the lacklustre attitude of the supposed in charge.

One last point – Is the new (expensive) youth shelter now providing a much needed arbour/garden feature in an unnamed local councillors garden ready for the barbeque season?? If not, where is it now?????

Yours,
D Barker, 17th May 2005