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Boardwalk :: Forum List The Phoenix Quarter General Discussion

<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >> Resign!!!   Re:charles style nominees - 2007/03/06 21:56 It's entirely simple - all those parties who have any connection whatsoever with the developer in whatever capacity should stand down immediately from being a stake-holder in the current process. It's a straightforward conflict-of-interest situation and it's not acceptable that parties who have gone so far as to accept monies from the developer are claiming to be independent (regardless as to whether they actually are or not).   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. Harry Harmer   Re:charles style nominees - 2007/03/07 01:39 Resign!!! has put her or his finger on the button. It is incredible that any individual or group who is in some way obliged to the prospective developer (cash or kind) should fail to realise there is something awkward about also claiming to put an independent view to the North Street vision process. At the very simplest, it doesn't look right and they should have the sensitivity to realise that.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. paddock   Re:charles style nominees - 2007/03/07 03:53 The Paddock is very happy to resign from the stakeholder process, and do so forthwith. We will put a statement on our website in this respect in the next few days.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. John Stockdale   Re:charles style nominees - 2007/03/07 15:14 I think paddock is doing the right thing. But we shouldn't be too hard on her. There is a conflict of interest and she like the other two arts groups nominated by Angel Property probably should have spotted it. But, she received an invitation from the local authority after it had been given these names by the developer. She may have thought, "If they think it's OK, it must be OK!" The real question is what did the planning department and Charles Style think they were doing? They should know the rules and they appear to have compromised the consultation process - for what? To distort the final outcome to favour the inclusion of an arts centre in any development. In fact the Phoenix is not the only potential location for an arts space. If Lewes needs more, what about using the Maltings when the County Records office moves out?   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. Miranda Kemp   Re:charles style nominees - 2007/03/08 15:16 It's a shame that one less voice with 'what's best for Lewes' right at its heart is off the stakeholder group. Sponsorship of the arts by business has always happened and those in receipt of corporate sponsorship, in cash or kind, have got very good at maintaining their independence. When Paddock Productions ran their highly-successful dance day last spring, the fact that they were in receipt of sponsorship from East Sussex County Council didn't stop them producing a dance which might have been construed as critical of the parking scheme. Also, interestingly, their responses during the stakeholders workshop day were more about sustainability and green issues, than trying to get an arts centre built. The integrity of the Paddock has never been in question.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. AJD   Re:charles style nominees - 2007/03/08 16:41 As author of "blinkered" I would like first to thank you for your thread. Lewes Matters can only survive with continual input from all shades of opinion. I should also confirm that my "grump" is with the managers of the visioning process, not with any of the stakeholders, even those where I doubt the wisdom of their inclusion. Our problems with the visioning process stem from the simple fact that LDC and several of the stakeholders have very different understandings of the meaning of the word "vision" when used in conjunction with public consultation. Here is a definition provided by an experienced professional facilitator: Visioning & public consultation "Visioning is a process that draws on imagination, inspiration and aspiration to define and achieve a desirable future. Its focus is not on what has gone on in the past, but draws on the best that participants can imagine for the future. Visioning is a means of creating inclusion and collaboration in a diverse group, while helping to guide change, the development of strategy and long term plans. It is an open process where the outcome is not pre-determined. Instead, the way forward is produced as a result of the process. It is only possible when contributors approach it in the spirit of cooperation, when each has an equal voice and personal agendas are set aside. Visioning is used when: an integration of a wide variety of ideas is required; a range of potential solutions are needed; participation for developing a long-range plan is wanted; a democratically derived consensus is desired." The visioning process we have seen so far appears to be a process where preconceived plans may be given the "visioning rubber stamp of approval". I hasten to add that this comment is mine as an individual, rather than as spokesman for Lewes Matters   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum.

Boardwalk :: Forum List The Phoenix Quarter General Discussion

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