Yes - it does seem to be taking a long time doesn't it?
I am thoroughly dissillusioned with both the Chamber of Commerce and the Town Council at the way they are handling this issue - local press reports now seem to indicate that if both parties do not come to an agreement over ownership of the project then it goes to the wall!
I see from the article in this weeks' Herald that both the Town Council and Chamber of Commerce are beginning to 'back peddle' insofar as taking responsibility for the running of the CCTV scheme. Wasn't this sorted out and made clear to all concerned before they, and the Sidmouth Herald, began asking for money from residents and businesses?
P*ss-up and brewery spring to mind !
With Divine intervention in the form of a donation to the CCTV fund by the Methodist Church, perhaps the Town Council may take the view that the community want the CCTV system and as they (the councillors) were voted in by the community then they should be so guided.
Maybe the post of Deputy Town Clerk needs to be withdrawn and the funds under that budget point used to maintain the CCTV equipment.
According to the Sidmouth Herald - the local shopkeepers now reckon a suitable CCTV system would cost in the region of £250,000 - they have managed to secure £30,000 in donations and pledges thus far. Thats donation of hard cash from members of the public and 'pledges' from businesses!
Oh dear Oh dear Oh dear.......
Well, I think this has gone on long enough - all woffle and no action. When is a decision going to be taken to either proceed with this project and get the cameras up or start refunding individuals who have paid money into this.
I imagine the much 'heralded' donations by shops and dignitaries have been pledges only - and it is the private citizens who have donated hard cash! Its about time they considered paying it back and donating any interest made to a worthwhile charity.
I don't think EDDC are actively involved in the Sidmouth project - the subject has been discussed at the Safety Partnership Meetings under the auspices of EDDC but it is the Town Council and Chamber of Commerce that started this off. Not much thought has been given to the issue as far as finances are concerned but the Sidmouth Herald then went ahead with a campaign to raise money - this was positively supported by residents who have actually donated money and also by businesses who have 'pledged' money.
Now the council and chamber of commerce are beginning to position themselves and trying to offload the project on each other because, lo' and behold, they have both realised that it may cost much more than was first thought. This has not been thought out properly and is in danger of going to the wall - I just wonder how they are going to give the money back.
Its a wonder how they keep their own businesses going given the way they have handled this.
Perhaps the current economic climate will thin their ranks a bit - give us a few empty premises then maybe we'll get a J.D.Weatherspoon's at long last!
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