Civic Societies Forum

motor vehicle damage to public property

2008-07-17T15:12:11+00:00

When a motor vehicle damages private property the owner seeks restitution from the vehicle’s insurer. We at the Wisbech Society believe that this does not happen with damage to public property. It seems that local authorities just do the repairs themselves or leave the damage unrepaired. Is this the case? Nationally this damage to public property must amount to a considerable sum unrecovered for the taxpayer? Has anyone knowledge of this matter? Are there any examples of authorities taking successful action ?

Community opposition to demolition of a landmark building on a Transport of London site

2008-07-14T09:22:34+00:00

Has any other Society or residents group had issue over a Transport for London site? A community group in Tottenham, London, is opposing a Local Authority-sanctioned plan to develop a TfL site by demolishing homes and a landmark building which includes an Edwardian indoor market with two beautiful atriums. The plan proposes a gated housing community and a commercial ground floor area. It does not take into account the unique character of this area, and the rich diversity of cultures. The residents group have produced an alternative plan to preserve this key local building, maintain the indoor market for the local traders and develop the upper floors for community services and functions including small business units. However TfL are not considering this alternative option.
Has your group campaigned to preserve a building of community significance from a locally-opposed corporate development?

Climate Change

2008-04-28T05:36:04+00:00

What are other Civic Societies doing locally to combat climate change?

Closure of Post Offices?

2008-05-19T18:46:30+00:00

Are any other Civic Societies involved in the the closure of village Post Offices?
We would be interested talking to others and sharing experiences.

Promoting walking and cycling

2008-05-18T20:17:43+00:00

Quote - ‘For settlements to be genuinely “eco” they must be based around walking, cycling and public transport with a range of facilities available locally. They should enhance, not spoil, the surrounding area and landscape, and win the support of the local community. For this to happen, schemes must be agreed via the local planning process rather than attempt to circumvent this.’

I fully agree with the first part of this statement but only part of the latter. What exactly does ‘community support’ mean or indeed ‘must be agreed with the local planning process’. I am aware of at least one Civic Society that is actively fighting cycling being allowed through a local park - the alternative route will take cyclists onto often very busy roads and robs children of the opportunty to learn to cycle in traffic-free safety. Why is this? Because the CS has appointed itself as the voice of the community which opposes cycling despite all its benefits. This is clearly a case of CS members being completely adrift from understanding why cycling should be encouraged and why their efforts should be directed towards finding ways of implementing and managing the much-needed route through the park rather than opposing it.

The relationship and balance between town centre parking and economic impact and viability of local businesses particularly in small towns with mediev

2008-05-18T19:49:12+00:00

The title sums up this thread. I would be very interested to find out how other towns have faced up to this challenge.

Hazel Blears Speech

2008-04-23T18:24:38+00:00

Did anyone recently see the Hazel Blears speech at CABE? For all the words we hear from them I and local authorities do not feel the government has any real understanding of what communities want and what concerns them.

Its an interesting article and you can read it here and I have a feeling I am not the only one!

http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=2411

Do you know a Community Champion or Heritage Hero?

2008-04-14T08:05:06+00:00

Nationwide Building Society has teamed up with the Heritage Lottery Fund to run the Nationwide Community and Heritage Awards 2008. They are inviting the public to nominate people or groups who deserve recognition for community or voluntary work that has made a real difference to people’s lives.

Nominations can be made for:

Community Champion - recognition for those who have made an impact in their local community.

Heritage Hero - recognition for those who have volunteered to become involved in saving part of their heritage and sharing it with others.

Nomination forms and further information can be downloaded from either http://www.nationwide.co.uk or http://www.hlf.org.uk, and nominations must be submitted by 28th April 2008.