CumbrianLocal • 21
Conservative party has attempted to turn the idea of having genuine local people with ambitions to step up and be local people representing their town, to a political agenda rather than a people agenda. Is the campaign already under threat from the powers who control the local council and local press? In the last Eden District elections of 2011, there were not enough candidates to be elected into the seats. In fact 16 seats of the 38 available were not contested seats. Whilst many genuine people came forward to then be co-opted to take these seats, the residents in these areas had their democratic right taken away in not being given the opportunity to cast a vote. In 2007, 14 seats of the 38 were not contested. If there is clear evidence that points to a lack of candidates, shouldn’t the Eden District Council Democratic and Legal Services consider whether the District Council has too many seats? With the yearly allowance for a district councillor at around £3,500, could savings and efficiencies be made and the democratic right to vote be restored to the people. Recently, people have seen first hand how decisions can be made without consultation at local government. We have witnessed how, like hyenas attacking a lame animal, media can attack to sell more news, when they also have the option to share and promote opinion equally. Central government wants towns to have some independence and it wants local people to have the authority under the Localism Act introduced in 2011, to have a say in what goes on in their towns, with regards to planning, public services, tourism and amenities, finance and general purposes, with the option to keep its town assets and the opportunity to preserve its past as well as look after its future.
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For Eden District Council to accept close to 1600 signatures meant knocking on many doors. I would personally like to thank Margaret Clark, Grattan Bowen and Robin House because these people really want the people of Penrith to take charge of their town and their future. Open decision making makes a town. Consultation with the people makes a town. People make a town. Your opinion will be needed, your support will be needed and if you do not understand the process, as people you have the right to stop the process and ask questions. The question still remains, however, what or who can you trust? The politics or the people or both? What happens if you confuse the two? Not all good people make good politicians. People can rise above the politics if given the right support from the community. A big thank to all who did sign the petition and to all those still signing the petition. Lee Quinn
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CumbrianLocal