Local councils

Local Councils What are they Playing At?

We know what they are doing, but why are they doing it?

To many traders it seems a double standard is being applied to pavements. Councils happilly put signs, seats, flower tubs in the middle of pavements with no regard to public safety but want to stop businesses being able to use this space. With such a difficult time for traders it can seem seem perverse.

Part of the answer could lie with Lobby groups especially ones to do with equality and these may be behind the stance councils are now taking. With New Labour and possibly the new governmnet these groups have a strong voice in local councils. Disability groups seem unhappy with their lot and want their demands met.

Another part of the answer is the Councillors just don't appreciate what businesses do for this country - paying taxes and employing people. And it is these people who make decisions in local councils. Meetings, meetings, meetings - too boring for Joe Public to attend regularly or even know half the time what is being discussed. All to often important issues are decided at a meeting where the public only get to know about it when the decisions are implemented. "Consultation" is often just lip service, where a few people are asked for their views and then usually ignored after the "facts" are mulled over and the decision makers do whatever it is they wanted to do in the first place.

It is at these meetings that policies such as a-boards are discussed and chewed over. Lobby groups have a huge impact, badgering and harassing councillors into "action" over some perceived terrible situation and those most affected have little or no say.

For example the RNIB are actively getting people to lobby councils into getting rid of a-boards stating on their website "We do not believe that a complete ban will have an adverse economic impact on traders", "If your Local Authority does not have any guidelines on A-Boards and does not licence them, it is important to bring this issue to their attention and ask them to take a stance on A-Boards".

Added to the problems faced by business from lobby groups Councils have no real interest in what effect their policy has on business within the local communities. For example Economic Development and Enterprise are often put into the same departments as Highways and Transport. Which means councils have nobody really looking out for any impact on the local economy from their decisions, they only really want to give the impression that they do. Their only real concern seems to be when considering any financial implication is how much it is going to cost the council.

For example a report from Derek Guin, Group Director, Development and Enterprise to Gateshead Council Cabinet (Title of Report "Policy for highways enforcement with respect to "A" Boards and shop displays)

11. Financial Implication - The Strategic Director, Finance and ICT confirms that the cost of implementing this policy will be met from existing budgets.

Consultation
8. The Cabinet Members for Environment, Employment and Economy, and Transport have been consulted on the policy
9. Northumbria Police have also been consulted and have raised no objections to the policy.

17 Human Rights Implications - The policy supports fair and consistent enforcement of Street Scene legislation.

The only thing lacking from the Group Director for Development and Enterprise is an actual report on the impact on enterprise ie businesses.

Things have to change, business owners need to take a more robust stance, local chamber of trades are weak and ineffective. Create your own lobby group to make councils understand just where it's policies are failing businesses.