Coun Mark Kirk, from Scunthorpe, Labour Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, has issued his personal festive message to the populace you can view on the authority's website. (Double-click on the link below to read it in full).
Perhaps we could suggest the most important bit is: "We have a lot of work to do, but I am determined to make sure that we put the people of North Lincolnshire first and where possible continue to maintain the services they expect from us. But it’s not going to be easy. The scale of cuts imposed on us by the coalition Government has never been seen before."
Well said, sir.
Crosby and Park Ward representative Mark mentions the Scunthorpe Baths Hall redevelopment, Central Park (Scunthorpe) and big new name stores in Scunthorpe High Street. But there's no mention of Brigg, or the major population centre of Bottesford, either. Barton isn't actually named, but there is reference to the Humber Bridge. The Isle of Axholme fails to feature.
If North Lincolnshire Council regards me as rather a parochial stick-in-the-mud, then I couldn't really argue and must plead guilty. Obviously the Leader couldn't be expected to mention every town and village in North Lincolnshire. But, judging by the contents of Mark's message, Scunthorpe - admittedly the biggest place in our area - seems to have done rather well in 2010.
Anyway, you make up your own mind.
MARK'S MESSAGE
One very noticeable aspect which I don't like about the collective group of North Linc's elected members is that it very divisive. It lacks inclusiveness - it either 'Scunthorpe', or 'Us in the Sticks'.
ReplyDeleteWhatever the politican persuation, the group has to realise that North Lincs doesn't have imaginery social boundaries and that the elected group has to appreciate that it represents all North Lincs inhabitants equally.
The more divisive central politics are; the more openings are available for the extreme to exploit.
I feel some sympathy for Mark Kirk: He couldn't have mentioned EVERY place in North Lincs. However, he's been around in local politics for a long time and should have realised that mentioning Scunthorpe several times could/would lead to a few adverse comments from what Ken Harrison calls "Us in the Sticks." Brigg's turn next year, perhaps.
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