Readers may wish to know what their paid councillors think are priorities
for spending of precious public money and senior officers' time.
What, for example, does suspended Conservative Councillor David Barton
think is a priority for the valuable time of the Sefton MBC Chief Executive?
The answer is that Councillor Barton wrote to Margaret Carney in November
seeking a CONFIDENTIAL meeting to discuss with him his idea to have two new
trees at Lord Street opposite Market Street moved because late night
revellers' complaints of pigeon fouling while they were waiting in the taxi
rank. The work would likely cost the Council about £400.
Councillor Barton told Mrs Carney:
"The fault therein upon my research actually lies here with there being an
absent official Representative on behalf of the Hackney Taxi Association
whereby during the original consultation process as part of the Planning
and Planting Procedure, the Trees Department have contacted the Taxi
Drivers themselves in lieu.
Unfortunately this has caused trees to be planted in two such unfavourable
locations whereby the background knowledge has proven to be ill-thought
given the numerous complaints I have myself received of damaged car doors
due to the unfortunate placing of these two new tree sites being in close
proximity with the waiting taxis and their clients, in addition to various
other pieces of street furniture throughout the year such as the Southport
BID planters and metal planting stalls."
Cllr Barton continues:
". . . based on the consistent numbers of complaints I have received from
various Taxi Drivers and residents that park their cars there, be they
local resident or visitor, I feel the need to seek your assistance with
authorising the reversal of this decision. As previously stated I am happy
to support this decision from the Dukes Ward District funds if necessary.
" If I may therefore kindly request to meet with you either alone or with a
senior member of the Taxi Association in the near future, subject to your
preference naturally and as soon as is convenient with yourself of course I
would be most obliged."
The Sefton Tree team have reported that a survey by officers inTaxi
Licensing) resulted in approximately 18 taxi drivers being spoken to about
the pigeon threat.
" none voiced concerns regarding where the trees had been placed. Therefore
the trees were not programmed to be removed and placed elsewhere."
Councillor Barton does not believe that the Hackney drivers represent their
views adequately on important matters such as this. So he asked for Mrs
Carney's
". . assistance in appointing a new Official Hackney Taxi Association
Representative to allay any such similar occurrences in this future. ."
Residents have been suggesting cheaper ways of addressing the perceived
pigeon problem on Lord Street. One suggestion is a 'scarepigeon". This is
very similar to a scarecrow but consists of a cardboard cut out on a stick
of a man in a shiny blue suit.