A Challenge For Wisbech

A Challenge For Wisbech

A full council meeting tonight for Fenland District Council has finally managed to bring to a close (of sorts) a couple of issues which have plagued Wisbech for quite some time.  First the taxi rank, in accordance with the wishes of just about everybody will now not move.  Then, the Wisbech Market Place will not receive the benefit of either option 1 or option 2, but will be (subject to their negotiations) handed lock, stock and barrel to Wisbech Town Council to manage.

So – the Taxi Rank.  New councillor Dave Patrick, leader of the taxi drivers, who campaigned mostly on the issue in this year’s by-election for Kirkgate will no doubt be very pleased.  It’s certainly the right result from a democratic point of view given that the majority of local people support it staying where it is.  However, the area will now be subject to a safety audit in order to make sure it is not a terrible accident waiting to happen.  The trouble is – it could well be a terrible accident waiting to happen.  Privately – a number of cab drivers have expressed their fear about it to me as have members of the public.  There’s certainly a lot of vehicles in a very small area coupled with  a heavy footfall.  So what the safety tests will report is anybody’s guess.  I just hope that Councillor Dave Patrick knows what he has let himself in for.  He’s taken a very populist route, which I think is a fair and reasonable thing to do – but having set himself so thoroughly against a move for the taxi rank - anything that happens now will be laid, fairly or unfairly, at his door.  Only time will tell who was right on this difficult issue.  I don’t envy him this delicate position.

My views on the Town Centre are well known – I supported option 2 which was previously decided upon by the Area Joint Committee and supported by the Town Council, almost all the Wisbech councillors, the town centre traders, the Chamber of Commerce and a large section of the public.  I still think the best result would have been to just get on and do Option 2.  However, after all the debate and controversy, Fenland cabinet have chosen to throw a very interesting and innovative curveball.  They’ve chosen to hand the responsibility for the area to Wisbech Town Council.  As a committed localist I find this a very exciting suggestion.  This is, after all, exactly what localism is all about.  Devolve the decision to the most local body that common sense allows. 

It’s a big responsibility and one that the Town Council have expressed a willingness and excitement about.  Good for them!  The ball is now in their court, as it were.  Let’s see where they go with it.  Any support they need at county level they will certainly get from the Wisbech County Councillors.  I just hope that the controversy is now over and we can get on and implement something which will benefit traders, shoppers and all the residents of – and visitors to – Wisbech.  The capital of the Fens.

A lively and serious debate was had tonight and I was impressed by many who spoke.  Particularly Cllr. Roger Green, Cllr. Simon King, Cllr. Jan French and the fiery leader Alan Melton.  Kudos must particularly be given to council leader Alan Melton and his cabinet for being so creative in their ideas and also being so willing to take on board the views expressed to them.  Whatever criticism anybody might want to level – I don’t think anybody can fairly say they haven’t been responsive and imaginative.  Equally, Wisbech Town Council have shown a willingness to get their hands dirty and a great deal of courage in stepping up to this potential new responsibility.  Both administrations have emerged looking modern, cooperative and intelligent.  Some will argue that this isn’t perfect – and they’d be right.  But nothing is perfect.  This is, however, fair.  I don’t think we could ask for more than that.