No, but then I wouldn't trust the Council to run one. Yesterday I received a copy of the the Council's Budget Questionnaire.
Today, a visit to 'The Venture' to place the completed questionnaire in the box to be 'provided' elicited the information that there was no box and the people in the shop knew nothing about a box.
It would be a pretty poor show if a voluntary organisation failed in such a simple task, but Rusthall Parish Council is a statutory organisation making a pig's ear of things.
KENT COMMUNITY ACTIVIST: acerbic, carping, caustic, curmudgeonly,critical, cynical, grumpy, moaning, sardonic and plain speaking.
As a newly formed Parish Council comprising mostly of people who have never been a Councillor before, it is expected that there will be a few hiccups in the first year, especially when trying to organise a large project such as a Budget questionnaire. After all, we are all human and for some Parish Councillors, we have the added responsibility of being a Councillor on top of our normal day job. Please don't forget that we are doing this completely voluntarily and in our own time. And, quite frankly, your comments would have more weight if you had actually put yourself forward for a Councillor position where you would be able to have more say and more power to effect change within the village rather than just moaning from the sidelines. I would hardly call yourself a Community Activist....
ReplyDeleteYours sincerely
Councillor Kelly Watson
who by the way is still overseeing the Budget Questionnaire project whilst wearing a heart monitor and undergoing cardiology treatment. I don't think you can doubt my commitment or passion for the welfare of my village)
Thank you for your post.
ReplyDeleteI have never doubted anyone's commitment or passion. It is important that holders of public posts are held accountable and their actions are open to scrutiny. It is not 'moaning' as you inelegantly phrase it.
As a former parish councillor I am well aware of the limitations of parish councils. I would have preferred a different type of organisation to engage in improving Rusthall - a view I expressed in both consultations. At least I was positive, unlike the vitriol expressed by some people.
John Hopkinson