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LET'S MAKE IT LOCAL! Our next move to try to shake someone into life over the Belfast Bombsite is to contact our Wisbech FDC Councillors. Before anyone jumps in and compares this with today's story about BNP leader Nick Griffin Tweeting the address of the gay couple who won their discrimination claim against Christian B&B owners, this is different. All the names and contact details of FDC Councillors are on the FDC website, so they are very much in the public domain. Also, we are not suggesting any kind of protest - just polite letters asking them for their opinions and what, if anything, they are prepared to do to help.
FIRSTLY, FIND OUT WHO YOUR FDC Councillor is. You may already know, but but thanks to Sam Hoy, who pointed me at this excellent website. Simply put in your postcode, and it will give you the name of your Councillor. Link is here: http://www.writetothem.com/
HERE ARE THE ADDRESSES: I have included one Councillor who lives in town, but actually represents a group of surrounding villages.
Clarkson Ward is Carol Cox 33 Bowthorpe Road, Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 2DX ccox@fenland.gov.uk
Kirkgate Ward is David Patrick - 12 Limes Avenue, Elm, Wisbech, Cambs PE14 0BS dpatrick@fenland.gov.uk
Medworth Ward is Jonathan Farmer 18 South Brink, Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 1JQ jfarmer@fenland.gov.uk
Peckover Ward is David Oliver - 39 West Parade, Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 1QB doliver@fenland.gov.uk
Waterlees Ward are Virginia Bucknor and Michael Bucknor 11 St Martins Road, Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 3EX mbucknor@fenland.gov.uk and vbucknor@fenland.gov.uk
Roman Bank Ward is Phil Hatton - The Paddocks, Barton Road, Wisbech, Cambs PE13 4TL phatton@fenland.gov.uk
Staithe Ward is David Hodgson - Whitehaven, 141 Elm Low Road, Wisbech, Cambs, PE14 0DF dhodgson@fenland.gov.uk
Hill Ward is Simon King - 27 North Brink, Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 1JR sking@fenland.gov.uk
Hill Ward is Bruce Wegg - 34 Colvile Road, Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 2ET bwegg@fenland.gov.uk
MANY PEOPLE WILL WANT TO WRITE THEIR OWN LETTERS. However if you are pushed for time, then here is one that you can highlight, copy and paste. It will work equally well as snailmail or email.
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxx (your address)
Dear Councillor xxxxxxxxx,
As a Fenland District Councillor, and someone who lives in the town, you will be well aware that the former Belfast building has been empty and derelict since the fire over two years ago. I am writing as one of your constituents, but also as someone who sees the building nearly every day.
I think it is a great shame that visitors to the town, as well as residents, have to live alongside this eyesore.
Some of us have got together to try to persuade the authorities to do something about the situation. I would be interested to hear your answers to these questions.
(1) We have an online petition, which can be found at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/do-something-about-the-belfast-building/thank-you Would you be prepared to sign this to show your support?
(2) What has been done already to move this matter forward, and what are the Council’s plans for the next six months?
(3) Compulsory Purchase powers are available to the Council when it is considered to be “in the public interest” What are your views on this?
I hope you will take this matter seriously. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
(signed and dated)
PLEASE KEEP THIS CAMPAIGN ON THE ROAD! I strongly suspect that at the moment, the advantage lies with the inertia of our Council. We need to change that. Copies of any replies you get would be appreciated. Contact me at wisbechcommunityforum@yahoo.com