Local Forum Blackpool South

Roseacre School, Blackpool, Wednesday 2nd April 2012.

Another wasted evening and another so-called non-political political meeting chaired by Ms Sarah Elliot of Neighbourhood Services (South).  It bodes badly for the residents of Blackpool South if Ms Elliot, the result of evolution of this breed of bureaucrat, an exercise that has failed miserably, does not learn civility or to recognise that the bad tempered old farts are her paymasters.

Ian Treasure of the NHS, or another Quango, began the session with a run through a questionnaire that was more an inquisition into moral attitudes rather than the effectiveness of the Health Service.  Long since have the health professionals ceased being interested or capable of administering a system on health and fitness having evolved into witch doctors in a profession that peddles pills to sick people.  Ian, bless him, went on and on about the damage done to health by excesses of smoking and alcohol to an audience that is closer to Box Brothers than the Maternity Ward.  Heart disease, diabetes, obesity are all manifestations of excesses of drugs, poor food and lack of exercise.  Pity he did not do a survey of his audience as there was at least one geriatric, former fitness fanatic, non-smoker and a good food freak who is crippled with heart disease, diabetes and an onset of overweightedness (getting fatter) due to lack of exercise because of horrendous arthritic conditions. "C'est la vie".

The performance of Ms Elliot left many in that audience, highly perturbed as she was incapable of answering the most basic of questions.  She heads a department that is tasked to keep the streets clean, but she had no idea of the number of staff, the equipment or the tasks to be undertaken.  She waffled and blustered and demanded absolute silence from an audience who attended to have their voices heard, not subdued as in the Communist States of Liverpool and Ken’s London.

One question highlighted her lack of knowledge or imagination.  Trees in the street!   Councillor Dougie Green related a tale that the head of the department refused to reply to his questions referencing to the trees in his neighbourhood, with a comment, “I was told that to cut the top off trees kills them.”   “Is this true?” asked one incredulous observer.

“Who told you that cropping trees kills them?” (Audience)

“The head of the department,”   Ms Elliot.

“How do you know his information is correct?” (Audience)

“That’s what he’s employed for.”  Ms Elliot.

“Have you verified his statement?”

The debate (short larf) got sidetracked into husbandry of trees to which a growingly exasperated Ms Elliot demanded that she could not answer a single part of that procedure as she knew nothing

“I can’t do that…”  Ms Elliot.

“Who employed this person?”

“Mutter, flutter, mutter mutter.”  Ms Elliot.  “How am I supposed to know a thing like that?”

“Google the question, “ suggested one.  “Have you phoned Newton Rigg and asked the experts?” added another. “You’ve sacked him?” demanded another.

Then Ms Elliot overstepped the mark by misinterpreting political non participation with her concepts of what are political party gerrymandering and genuine local concerns.  Whatever happened to education? At least the pubs were still open when the Farce concluded. 


One question Ms Elliot ignore completely, but is of concern to every parent whose children play football, "Is Fisher's Field legally open to dogs?"