Barb's Wire with Councillor Barbara Driver
I SEE the police need help with volunteers on a Friday and Saturday to control what goes on within the so-called night-time economy.
Perhaps what we should be addressing more is the cause of the problem, which would help the police and volunteers.
We have to start to think about making the town centre a place where everyone can have fun, even in the evenings.
More family-orientated and different types of interests have to be thought about and addressed. We need something like another Axiom Arts Centre, which so many people enjoyed.
Sunday and Monday evenings £12.00 per head for an all inclusive meal with Indian and Thai cuisine (normal price £14.50).
Bring this voucher to the restaurant complete with your name and email address on it.
Terms: Expires 31st July
Contact: 01452 223782
Valid until: Wednesday, July 31 2013
I have the highest regard for the police, and indeed all the emergency services, like the fire service and the voluntary lifeboat service, and would like to say a very large thank you to all for doing the job they do. When there is trouble the police are often criticised for going in too strongly or not strongly enough, it seems they cannot win.
My condolences go out to the families of PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes who, while doing their job, died in Manchester a couple of weeks ago.
Fire fighters risk their own safety to help others but we take it for granted they will do just that if we are in trouble.
Those in these emergency services are special people. Perhaps it would be good to hold a Honour our Emergency Services celebration day in Cheltenham. It would also be a fun family day.
The PCSOs have done a great job since they started a few years ago as the contact between residents and the police.
The Town Centre SCT has set up the Town Centre Co-ordination Group, chaired by Bernice Thompson of the West End Partnership. One area of the town centre that needs a little TLC is St Mary's Churchyard, so they have organised a group of people living or active within the town centre, which includes Peer Ormerod from Friends of St Mary's Church, to do just that. This is one exciting project which came about because the Gloucestershire police put PCSOs in place. Hopefully this green area will be turned into a jewel in the centre of town for all to enjoy.
The PCSOs can be seen working and making contact with residents all over Cheltenham which I trust will be supported and enhanced when we change to an elected police commissioner in November.
Comments
by ManDownunder
Friday, October 05 2012, 1:11AM
“TIMONLINE2010 - you really do need to get out a little bit more mate”
by TIMONLINE2010
Thursday, October 04 2012, 10:00AM
“Note TiGs typo!
So what is the stratgey Barbara? Yet more nightclubs and bars? what happened to getting them to fund policing?”
by joholly
Thursday, October 04 2012, 6:19AM
“I have yet to read a single thing penned/achived by Cl Driver or voiced by Cl Driver that it of any value to anybody!
She appears to sleepwalk into issues too regularly.
As for the drivel above praising the emergency services the public at large are fully aware and appreciate the work done by all in the services - we just dont feel the need to publish thanks/praise as a means of self publicity.
The town doesn't need another arts centre - it needs a secure, prosperous and vibrant centre which encourages entreprenuerial spirit and provides secure permanent value adding jobs for our peolple. Policies that support business people and encourage the masses to visit and stay longer.”
by Ms_Superstar
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 6:35PM
“Charging for parking until 8pm was a crazy idea, and has done a great deal of harm to Cheltenham's economy, though I do believe Barbara was all for reducing the time to 6pm, in line with most other towns and cities.”
by AndyPrestbury
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 3:33PM
“Here's one for the councillors to think about how their policies have a negative impact on the town centre entertainment trade. Introducing parking fees until 8pm. Before, you could go home from work, get changed and go out with the family for a meal in town - with parking free. Now with the introduction of parking charges families going out for a meal have more of an incentive to go out of town. These small changes can have quite a bearing on the overall town centre economy, short-term monetary gain, with long-term negative impact. There is now less incentive for town centre businesses to go after the early evening trade because it has been driven out of town, so all of their efforts are concentrated around later trade which tends to just be alcohol based.”
by AndyPrestbury
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 3:21PM
“To quote this article again "Perhaps what we should be addressing more is the cause of the problem, which would help the police and volunteers." To true, which is why we elect councilors to put together a plan to deal with these issues. People in Cheltenham have been saying for years that the town centre needs to be improved, maybe it is about time councilors listened instead of pushing people about.”
by Bob_Flaps
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 3:12PM
“Actually 'Driver's Drivel' would be better.”
by AndyPrestbury
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 3:09PM
“Quote "One area of the town centre that needs a little TLC is St Mary's Churchyard, so they have organised a group of people living or active". I do hope someone wasn't suggesting digging up the graves to get their opinion on how the nightlife in Cheltenham could be improved?”
by Ms_Superstar
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 1:34PM
“Yes, we should be addressing the cause of the problem, but I wonder if Babs is aware of what that is?
Try too many off-licences selling strong booze, closed-down public toilets, TV in pubs inciting sports-related aggression, too many police officers in cars and vans and not enough on foot. Things the councils could do something about, if they really wanted to.
Cheltenham is a leisure resort, always has been since the days of George III. CBC needs to keep that in mind.”
by Bob_Flaps
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 12:25PM
“Coming soon, Bab's thoughts on how young policemen look nowadays and how music today is just noise, you can't whistle the tune and you can tell by their eyes that they have been taking drugs. Also, a spell in the army would sort them out. News on her husband to follow later..”