WOW !! Nearly 400 members to this group, the Parish Council making statements via a social networking site Facebook, our City of York Councillor also commenting...the media now involved.
Is this the changing face of Bishopthorpe? Will we see new people serving on the Parish Council next year when the elections are due? Will the Parish Council continue to communicate with its people via Facebook by accepting friends?
This issue has probably the biggest following ever for Bishopthorpe and I wonder what will happen next?
I think "Concerned" puts the whole matter into context, those accord entirely with my thoughts. At last a bit more common sense sadly lacking in much of the debate.
let the dust settle on the Park,and monitor the situation,and then if action is needed take it.my 2 grandchildren love it and are there regularly..
We feel we must offer a response to the debate currently raging in the village.This campaign has been started without coming and asking what our concerns are so unfortunately people seem to have grasped the wrong idea entirely.
A number of people living around the playarea have had concerns about it since work began last november. As there was little/no consideration or co-operation from the Parish Council we have had to attend numerous meetings,write letters and seek advice from relevant third parties.We were never shown any plans for the park or for the siting of apparatus behind our homes.This resulted in us asking for consideration to be given to the possibility of re-siting certain pieces of equipment, which we feel are rather invasive,to a more central part of the field. Also for security gates and fencing for privacy. One resident was given a fence by the Parish Council in january and we would like to be afforded the same as now structures put in place for privacy can be seen over due to the height of certain pieces of equipment and its close proximity to homes. We urge people to refer to the Parish Council meeting minutes and are welcome to see copies of letters we have written and independent reports that have been carried out to verify this.
At no time have we asked for the playarea to be scrapped or for any of the equipment to be removed/demolished.The first we heard of the climbing frame being moved and the possibility of the slide being relocated was when the questionaire results were published and the Parish Council listed their intended course of action. Following this Cllr Harrison proposed the move at the march meeting to which it was voted in favour of unanimously (as was fencing and gating).
What a shame the Parish Council are happy to see neighbours against their neighbours over a non-issue.
We do not want to spoil anybodies fun but we would like some privacy and a time (agreed by all) for the park to be locked at night so we can enjoy some quiet time too.
I think allegations of cyberbullying on the Facebook page are just plain wrong (most of the comments are constructive, and no member of the public is even identified, much less bullied). It is indeed sad that someone feels it appropriate to try to get the police involved. Whatever you think about the issue of the playground, it must be a good thing that so many people can now get involved in local decisions and express an opinion.
I have yet to find out how to put a comment on Facebook!!! rather than other putting on my emails etc.
However one word of caution, some of the cmments are rather unpleasant and could be classed as "Electronic Bullying". There are those who are extremely conserned at the tone of some comments and have now involved the Police. Sad really.
See Todays York Press