NTC propose a £9,000 gift to the BID Options

[Simon Kirby]

Up at Monday's Policy and Resources Committee meeting of the NTC is a proposal to give the BID £9,000 for some power points on the pretext that they will be shared by the moribund Charter Market.

19. Northbrook Street Power Supplies
Chief Executive Officer
The Newbury Business Improvement District, with some assistance from Town Council officers has established that the cost of installing three new power supply units in Northbrook Street, for use by both the Business Improvement District and the Newbury Market extension will cost a total of £20,452.36p. This compares favourably with the cost of installing the Pop-Up power supplies in the Market Place. To consider officers’ recommendation that the £9,000 budget line included under the market for the “refuse contract risk fund”, which is not now required, be vired as a capital contribution to the Business Improvement District.

I struggle to understand the sense of investing £9,000 of public money in a moribund retail operation which already costs the tax-payer £25k each year for no public benefit whatsoever. Yet more largesse and magnanimity of the Big-Man town council towards the town's retail interests at the expense of the tax-payer - 'twas ever thus.

And the way the council has stumbled on £9,000 is the most appalling accounting - it was obvious from the outset that there was no need for £9,000 of market cleaning contingency, and now it's not needed the council just need to give it back.

[user23]

Are these being installed because the market is so successful it's expanded into Northbrook Street?

[blackdog]

Are these being installed because the market is so successful it's expanded into Northbrook Street?

Or in a last ditch attempt to reinvigorate a failng market?

[MontyPython]

Are these being installed because the market is so successful it's expanded into Northbrook Street?

You know that's not the reason!

[user23]

Or in a last ditch attempt to reinvigorate a failng market?

Surely if it was failing it wouldn't be expanding?

[MontyPython]

Surely if it was failing it wouldn't be expanding?

No - it is failing because the Market Place that your beloved council spent a fortune on doesn't attract people! So as a last ditch attempt to save the market they want to move it.

Obviously staff at WBC spend to much time in their offices sitting on their elbows to understand reality!

[motormad]

It's simple really, if I could park for free in something resembling proximity to some shops (not Parkway that is for women generally who buy Coffee at exorbitant prices and then buy some long trench coats and hipster shade) then I would visit Newbury.

I have to admit I've not gone into Newbury town center for about 2 months now, I have no reason or need to. Simply not in demand. I feel many people are similar to me.

[Andy Capp]

Are these being installed because the market is so successful it's expanded into Northbrook Street?

A shame that a 'successful' market needs subsidising. Surely a successful market could pay for it itself?

[Andy Capp]

It's simple really, if I could park for free in something resembling proximity to some shops (not Parkway that is for women generally who buy Coffee at exorbitant prices and then buy some long trench coats and hipster shade) then I would visit Newbury.

I have to admit I've not gone into Newbury town center for about 2 months now, I have no reason or need to. Simply not in demand. I feel many people are similar to me.

Same as that: I feel that Newbury is becoming more and more uninviting, especially with it's parking policies.

[MontyPython]

A shame that a 'successful' market needs subsidising. Surely a successful market could pay for it itself?

Maybe User23 thinks anything compared to WBC is a success

[nerc]

Are these being installed because the market is so successful it's expanded into Northbrook Street?

Do you never visit the market?

If you were to take time to visit it and speak to the traders then you would know that it is not successful by any means.

[dannyboy]

I might be wrong, but I have a feeling that the power points won't exclusivly be for use on market days, so NTC chipping in towards the cost seems fair.

It would save having a ruddy great diesel generator next time a kids merry-go-round is in situ on Northbrook St for instance.

But hey - I would not expect any one on here to actually think positively.....

[Andy Capp]

But hey - I would not expect any one on here to actually think positively.....

On the face of it, I think it sounds like a reasonable investment. What I am not so sure about is that the NTC or the BID will properly install them and make good use of them.

[dannyboy]

On the face of it, I think it sounds like a reasonable investment. What I am not so sure about is that the NTC or the BID will properly install them and make good use of them.

I suppose it depends on who is doing the work.......

it is investment in infrastructure - which is a good thing.

[Andy Capp]

I suppose it depends on who is doing the work....... it is investment in infrastructure - which is a good thing.

I know and agree, but I wonder how useful they will be. And at a time where money is really tight, providing power points for a handful of fairground rides or a kebab van, seems almost extravagant.

[dannyboy]

I know and agree, but I wonder how useful they will be. And at a time where money is really tight, providing power points for a handful of fairground rides or a kebab van, seems almost extravagant.

Public spending does not work like that.

[Andy Capp]

Public spending does not work like that.

Like what?

[MontyPython]

I know and agree, but I wonder how useful they will be. And at a time where money is really tight, providing power points for a handful of fairground rides or a kebab van, seems almost extravagant.

Public spending does not work like that.

Like what?

Like looking to see if something is an extravagant waste of money - after all its only the public's money.

Out of interest who pays for the electricity and is there a way of charging this on to the stall holder. A fairground ride could use a lot of electricity!

[On the edge]

I might be wrong, but I have a feeling that the power points won't exclusivly be for use on market days, so NTC chipping in towards the cost seems fair.

It would save having a ruddy great diesel generator next time a kids merry-go-round is in situ on Northbrook St for instance.

But hey - I would not expect any one on here to actually think positively.....

No, but it would be really nice and in keeping with the 'old' image to have a steam traction engine producing the energy for the once every five years kiddies fair, a draw in itself .and cheaper too.

That positive enough for you?

[On the edge]

Public spending does not work like that.

That's exactly what AndyC is at. Public spending is exactly what's proposed, spend a large sum on business proposition which hadn't even been made!

Always amazes me that the lifts in Council car parks go both ways, after all, the Council normally just let's you down.