Bedfordshire for Nirah!
Occasional newsletter
The meeting at the Corn Exchange last night attracted a large number - I would estimate just under four hundred - and given the short notice, this clearly signaled the concern over the possible demise of this innovative project.
Called by the Mayor of Bedford Frank Branston, the meeting at the Corn Exchange attracted people of all ages.
I have known Frank Branston for some thirty years, and have a considerable respect for him and sympathy with his passion for Bedfordshire. He has sometimes been maligned, as if he was out for himself. This I feel is very unfair; at a time when most might be considering retirement he campaigned for Better Bedford not for his own well being, but because he could see that for years Bedford had lacked effective local leadership, and wanted to do something about it. Like Frank, when Jill and I traveled to Bedford for the first time, our first impression had been the brickfields, and the barren land, and wondered what on earth we had come to! Here, in Nirah, was a wonderful opportunity to transform Stewartby and provide an amenity that would become the envy of other counties.
The vast majority clapped in support of his plea that the county council make sure the Nirah project would happen in the county.
Professor Chris Shaw, one of the founding scientists of Nirah, talked to the audience about the scientific and conservation benefits of Nirah. A charismatic, passionate speaker, he outlined what was happening to species, and stressed that this had a serious scientific aim of helping to prevent species and habitats from slipping into extinction by playing a vital role in public education and supporting conservation initiatives.
MP Patrick Hall said this was an important moment in history for Bedfordshire - not only would it mean jobs and economic prosperity but national significance for the county. He was loudly applauded.
Another speaker was John Bocyzc (pronounced Boycheck). John is Deputy Head of Stewartby School, and saw this for only as an educational venture, but also as a means of revitalizing Stewartby. After he had heard the project was at risk he had rallied support from people in Stewartby and in return had received 200 letters in 48 hours - which he handed to the Mayor.
A question and answer session was chaired by Peter Hughes, now Chair of the Bedford Development Agency and a former CEO of Power Gen. The question of monies surrounding the project were clarified by Chairman of Nirah Peter May:
Bedfordshire County Council has a bit of a history of secrecy in its deliberations. Years ago they had outsourced much of the administrative services to Hyder Business (against considerable opposition). Last year, when even the Council had to concede that this had been a disaster, and began to sever the contract, they were most unwilling to reveal the extent of the severance penalty (which we as ratepayers would be paying for. There is an arrogance at County Council level which many find utterly reprehensible, and it is hardly surprising that a growing number of people now clamour for the disbandment of this failed County Council. Now, we learned at the meeting they had commissioned (at our expense) a report on Nirah by Price-Waterhouse, which it appears only two people have seen, because there was a confidentiality clause that Bedfordshire has assented to. So it turns out that we have a report that may have caused some concern at the County, but no-one - not even Nirah - knows what it is all about. I seriously question the legality of this, now that we have a Freedom of Information Act, but even if this is a legal move, it is highly insensitive, high-handed, and unconstructive. Perhaps the Bedford County Council might one day awaken to the fact that it has a pretty awful reputation, and that it exists to serve us, not to lord it over us.
Bedfordshire County Council will doubtless point out that it must account for the money it receives from the government and from the tax-payers. And quite right too. However, this would be received with greater credibility had it been a little more prudent in other matters. It is only a matter of months since a thousand pounds was spent on kites, would you believe, as some sort of rallying exercise. And this week's issue of Beds. on Sunday has a report that £120,000 of our money is being spent on a new county logo. Money that could more wisely be spent on repairing the potholes in the county.
When transparency (the current popular sound byte) is absent, misinformation and uninformed speculation is bound to result. Bedfordshire County Council and the East of England Development agreed to promise four million pounds in loans, not a gift, and so far it has received three million. In order to reach the stage of submitting and then acquiring planning permission at least another £600,000 is needed. Some time ago at the House of Commons a deal was struck under which £300,000 would be supplied by the private sector and then match funded by the council. This was now not forthcoming from the council - for reasons of "State Aid" restrictions.
Anyway, back to the meeting. Cllr John Scott, of the county council said from the floor State Aid was still a "live issue." Two county councillors (Gordon Willey and Colleen Atkins) both said they were in favour of Nirah for the area.
It was asked why the MP for the area in which Nirah will be built, Nadine Dorries, was not at the meeting. It was reported that she had been invited but was unable to attend. (Mrs. Dorries has issued a statement saying that no more money should be given to Nirah. See here.)
From the floor it was suggested by several people that a fighting fund should be set up - one pensioner pledged £50 to ensure Nirah was here for her grandchildren's future. This offer received a large and sustained round of applause, reflecting, perhaps, the frustration that the audience are experiencing over this impasse.
At the end of the meeting supporters took away more than 500 petition forms which also contained details of how people could express their support for Nirah - by writing to local newspapers, MPs and local county councillors.