Victoria Park. Options

[Penelope]

So, Costains have delivered their (long overdue) report on the subsidence in the park and yet the council have not deemed it necessary to pass on the findings to the taxpayers, I wonder why?

[dannyboy]

So, Costains have delivered their (long overdue) report on the subsidence in the park and yet the council have not deemed it necessary to pass on the findings to the taxpayers, I wonder why?

If you read the article, it tells you.

[Penelope]

If you read the article, it tells you.

Oh you mean the bit where it says the information could be commercially sensitive. Do you still put letters up the chimney for Santa?

[dannyboy]

Oh you mean the bit where it says the information could be commercially sensitive. Do you still put letters up the chimney for Santa?

bit further on than that - “I understand the frustrations of Newbury residents but we have to abide by the legal restrictions which are preventing us from publishing full details.”

[Cognosco]

If you read the article, it tells you.

This is probably council speak for "Taxpayers get your hands in your pockets this is going to cost you"

[motormad]

bit further on than that - “I understand the frustrations of Newbury residents but we have to abide by the legal restrictions which are preventing us from publishing full details.”

Aren't they the same legal restrictions which means we get FOI?!?

[Penelope]

Aren't they the same legal restrictions which means we get FOI?!?

Those are the ones. It's our park! Heavily subsidised be us, and its "oh no, we can't tell you why we buggered it up"

[On the edge]

Those are the ones. It's our park! Heavily subsidised be us, and its "oh no, we can't tell you why we buggered it up"

Frankly you are right. This is actually quite astonishing. We have spent a large sum of money for absolutely nothing. This has been going on for two years - quite long enough. Rather than hiding behind lame excuses, the Council Leader should resign. The money could have been better spent elsewhere perhaps protecting some of the key services we've lost.

[Andy Capp]

I think people might be speaking with an element of hind sight here. They were advised by the 'Uni' that did the test that it would be a 'few weeks' job and a few grand; however, it snowballed. I think the council were duty-bound to try and find out the route cause, but they have been caught-out by the vultures that are lawyers and a developer with a profit margin to protect.

Personally I think the whole thing is grossly indecent; surrendering a lot of public land for a few exclusive shops.

At the end of the day, 'if you dine with the devil, you will eventually find yourself on the menu'.

[Cognosco]

I think people might be speaking with an element of hind sight here. They were advised by the 'Uni' that did the test that it would be a 'few weeks' job and a few grand; however, it snowballed. I think the council were duty-bound to try and find out the route cause, but they have been caught-out by the vultures that are lawyers and a developer with a profit margin to protect.

Personally I think the whole thing is grossly indecent; surrendering a lot of public land for a few exclusive shops.

At the end of the day, 'if you dine with the devil, you will eventually find yourself on the menu'.

Of which a large number are still empty!


Even more of a certainty when our local council has a hand in the proceedings!

[Adrian Hollister]

At the end of the day, 'if you dine with the devil, you will eventually find yourself on the menu'.

I've got to get that line in a hustings or debate

[Andy Capp]

I've got to get that line in a hustings or debate

I have heard rumours that Richard Garvie is claiming that the council are allegedly asking Costain to claim partial liability.

[dannyboy]

I have heard rumours that Richard Garvie is claiming that the council are allegedly asking Costain to claim partial liability.

you mean it wasn't totally the fault of the the drought?

[Andy Capp]

you mean it wasn't totally the fault of the the drought?

I have no idea. I guess that the fault might be a combination of things. Mind you, it is only an allegation I have heard.

[dannyboy]

I have no idea. I guess that the fault might be a combination of things. Mind you, it is only an allegation I have heard.

Sounds logical - to try & get Costain to accept total liability would be a tall order.

[Andy Capp]

Sounds logical - to try & get Costain to accept total liability would be a tall order.

Yes. I suppose both wish to avoid court and are holding out for an out of court settlement. If so, then there will always be a compromise. Especially when it cannot be proven beyond doubt.

[Berkshirelad]

Yes. I suppose both wish to avoid court and are holding out for an out of court settlement. If so, then there will always be a compromise. Especially when it cannot be proven beyond doubt.

It's not a criminal matter, it's civil. The burden of proof is one of "on the balance of probability"

[Cognosco]

It's not a criminal matter, it's civil. The burden of proof is one of "on the balance of probability"

The probability is that it is going to cost the taxpayer again if it works out to the standard that the council usually works to!

[On the edge]

Don't really understand why the Council got involved in the first place. Should have just let the insurance companies fight it out.

[Andy Capp]

It's not a criminal matter, it's civil. The burden of proof is one of "on the balance of probability"

If something can be proven beyond doubt (I didn't say beyond reasonable doubt), then it is immaterial whether it is a civil or a criminal matter; that is my point.