You name it, Wiltshire Council is asking what we think about it.
Whether it’s sites for new housing development (a foregone conclusion), cycle lanes (a load of old bollards), or a River Park which will reduce the city’s future flood risk while handily creating a much more attractive waterfront to tempt developers, this is the moment to speak your mind.
So much is going on that I hope the members of our recently-formed Facebook group, SOS – Save Our Salisbury, don't feel they're suffering from information overload!
I'm really pleased that so many people have seized the opportunity to air their views on our page.
And in helping to force the withdrawal of the unpopular Low Traffic Zone, for the time being at least, they’ve already chalked up one success.
At a time when everyone's forced to spend so much time indoors, what we've created is a widely accessible channel of communication with a remotely-based local authority that now has to conduct all its business online.
At a time when everyone's forced to spend so much time indoors, what we've created is a widely accessible channel of communication with a remotely-based local authority that now has to conduct all its business online.
Somewhere for people to say proactively what they really think, rather than simply ticking boxes in questionnaires designed to produce one particular answer. And we can make sure they aren't ignored.
It's not perfect, of course, and it never will be while some people don’t have the tech to take part, but it's easier for people to see what's going on than back in the day when everything important was discussed and rubber-stamped miles away at Trowbridge in front of the proverbial one man and a dog.
It is, of course, election year, and there’s nothing like the possibility of being booted out of office to concentrate the minds of councillors on keeping in touch with their voters.
But how much does it achieve to consult people once the options have already been pared down to one?
I’m not saying don’t do it, but just don’t pretend that by doing it, you’ve covered all the bases. This is one reason why there’s such a disconnect between politics and the general population.
As life gets more and more complicated, we need to evolve ways of ensuring that the Average Joe (or Joanne) doesn’t feel left out, or left behind. Communities have got to be involved with developments before plans are worked up and before so much has been invested that there's no turning back.
And this is why I’m so proud of what SOS is already achieving. A revival of local grassroots democracy is our aim. It’s a big ask, but an awful lot of people are responding very positively.
It's not perfect, of course, and it never will be while some people don’t have the tech to take part, but it's easier for people to see what's going on than back in the day when everything important was discussed and rubber-stamped miles away at Trowbridge in front of the proverbial one man and a dog.
It is, of course, election year, and there’s nothing like the possibility of being booted out of office to concentrate the minds of councillors on keeping in touch with their voters.
But how much does it achieve to consult people once the options have already been pared down to one?
I’m not saying don’t do it, but just don’t pretend that by doing it, you’ve covered all the bases. This is one reason why there’s such a disconnect between politics and the general population.
As life gets more and more complicated, we need to evolve ways of ensuring that the Average Joe (or Joanne) doesn’t feel left out, or left behind. Communities have got to be involved with developments before plans are worked up and before so much has been invested that there's no turning back.
And this is why I’m so proud of what SOS is already achieving. A revival of local grassroots democracy is our aim. It’s a big ask, but an awful lot of people are responding very positively.
Annie, thank you for all your work on behalf of salisbury.
ReplyDeleteWiltshire is a lovely county with some glorious history. But no one in their right mind would design it this way. A big empty centre, except for Devizes, and the rest of the population scattered round the edge.
We really must have policies determined by councillors who, covid aside, wander round the market and the shops finding out what is needed. These people are the heart of the city, and will know why their customers are not returning. Just look at the success of Frome.
I do firmly believe that a city of Salisbury's significance deserves to govern itself.
The trouble has been wildcat Tory councillors. Why is that not being called out? It would it was another party!
ReplyDeleteShouting at members of the public to 'get off' at meetings; infamously trying to close the tourist information centre and a well publicised split, is all down to them. Call it out and don't tar the whole council.
Anyway, the issue is Wiltshire council, not the city. That again, is Tory run. Tories are notorious at public consultation failures. Wiltshire council was the worst thing ever to happen to Salisbury.
I moved to Salisbury from Surrey where our village regularly returned Independent councillors - it can be done if people think about how to vote rather than just sticking to 'their party'.
ReplyDelete