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Eric Pickles praises Boscombe seafront regeneration (From Dorset Beaches)
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Eric Pickles praises Boscombe seafront regeneration
12:30pm Thursday 8th July 2010
ERIC Pickles praised entrepreneurs and community champions for their efforts to transform Boscombe’s seafront.
Following a tour of the regenerated area, accompanied by Bournemouth council officials, the minister said: “Seeing how they have transformed the seafront for themselves is further evidence to me that Whitehall needs to get out of the way and trust people to get on with things themselves.
“Too much power has been sucked out of communities into Westminster eroding trust in politics and sapping responsibility and initiative with stifling bureaucracy.”
He added: “It is clear from what I am seeing here today in Boscombe that there are local people who want to have the freedom and power to change things for the better in their area.”
After a walk along the wind-swept pier with members of his ministerial team and a visit to a Wayne Hemmingway-designed beach pod, Mr Pickles said: “I’m terrifically impressed by what I’ve seen and when I go back to London that’s what I’m going to remember.
“I remember Boscombe being a dreadful place, it’s come full circle.
“I know there are still derelict and deprived areas but this will have a knock-on effort and start to pull things around. You can’t expect things to change overnight.
“What’s happening here shows that decline is not inevitable – it can be reversed.
“I would compare it to works that have taken place along the canal in Birmingham and what has happened in central Manchester; two areas which were very run down.
“Every year Boscombe will probably get a bit better.
“It’s positive and I will be leaving with happy memories.”
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Your Say YourDorset
workingman, Bournemouth says...
1:03pm Thu 8 Jul 10
I didn't see them investing much money on the poor old reef. It was the Bournemouth council tax payer that funded it. Not the best example of how to spend public money but at least the council tried rather than just let Boscombe rot like it did under the last Tory government.
jollybaggins, Weymouth says...
1:54pm Thu 8 Jul 10
Yes Eric, thats the bits where the poor locals are expected to inhabit, not the bits that have been done up for the Grockles.
Wake up you muppet
Bob49, Bournemouth says...
3:11pm Thu 8 Jul 10
Perhaps Eric would care to tell us who let it become such a dreadful place. What councillors were diverting money towards the Westcliff to prop up their under invested hotels.
At least he's right on one thing, it won't be WhiteHall or these wondrous entrepreneirs (with their £12m of council handouts) that will have to pick up the bill for this sham. It will be the locals.
So perhaps Eric could tell us what services are going to be cut to make up for the overspend - and more importantly whether those cuts will push another area towards' being a dreadful place' !
FOSF, Bournemouth says...
3:12pm Thu 8 Jul 10
.
To regenerate Boscombe, one needs to look at the whole picture. The down and out places. Places where dead bodies are found. Drug related incidents, crime, etc etc.
.
It is no good rebuilding a sea front with no where for the visitors to go.
.
You did well advising our Council to rid them of the leaderships, but alas, your statements on our infrastructure needs to be looked at in more detail.
Capt. Ahab (ret.), oxford says...
4:07pm Thu 8 Jul 10
It do seem yet again yer newssheet be overacting to a Brethrens point of view and have deleted ALL comments from two articles. How poetic that in one of those I did make that very point i.e. if a comment be deemed illegal? Then by all means take it down, I be in full agreement with that but to delete ALL other ‘law abiding’ posts seems very draconic.
Yer editor be losing credibility of his capability to provide unbiased news, it be his responsibility to supply information to the Brethren, the point that it maybe contentious don’t make it illegal just a tad unsavoury fer some to swallow. By deleting ALL just leaves a nasty taste in ALL our mouths.
P.S. IF me scribe do find a fault with his ‘tekkie’ thingy and said lost comments be invisible just aboard Peapod then I rightly apologise.
Gastines, St.Malo says...
4:12pm Thu 8 Jul 10
High Treason, Poole says...
5:10pm Thu 8 Jul 10
Bob49, Bournemouth says...
7:45pm Thu 8 Jul 10
The quotes were not taken out of context nor were they used to make allegations of wrogdoing or dishonesty, they merely highlighted what was said 18 months ago and the reality now. They were statements made by a council officer to an open council meeting. Which can be easily verified.
We would be better served were the Echo to actually adress these matters rather than removing posts that contain genuine concerns.
Removing posts from this forum will not erase statements made at an open council meeting. It will suggest however that reasoned and relevant debate is being surpressed.
misplacedspaniard, Poole says...
8:19pm Thu 8 Jul 10
There was a time, back in the 90's, when me and my partner used to grab fish and chips then drive down by the beach. We would park the car then sit in front of the car in the sand watching the waves........
One night we decided to do this only to find booths with some guy sat outside demanding payment. We promptly left, never to return.
I'm not a tight fisted person but it's the principle. I am sick and tired of this greedy stinking council charging me left right and centre to do the things I enjoyed. What irritates me beyond belief is the fact that they bleed you dry then take away most of the public conveniences!! I really enjoyed my nights by the seafront but now I just don't bother - it's too much hassle.
Idiots.
lovetheuk, London / bournemouth says...
11:57pm Thu 8 Jul 10
charley farley west parley, bournemouth says...
3:02am Fri 9 Jul 10
charley farley west parley, bournemouth says...
3:12am Fri 9 Jul 10
charley farley west parley, bournemouth says...
3:20am Fri 9 Jul 10
Oh i give up !
zagzig, says...
5:53am Fri 9 Jul 10
busguy, Bournemouth says...
8:42am Fri 9 Jul 10
Capt. Ahab (ret.) wrote:I agree with Capt Ahab and Bob49. We really do try to abide by your requests to avoid litigious comment, but it is a very fine line when there is so much contentious material to write about. Most people try to temper their comments and statements on the side of safety, without knowing where the line is.
Ahoy Brethren, It do seem yet again yer newssheet be overacting to a Brethrens point of view and have deleted ALL comments from two articles. How poetic that in one of those I did make that very point i.e. if a comment be deemed illegal? Then by all means take it down, I be in full agreement with that but to delete ALL other ‘law abiding’ posts seems very draconic. Yer editor be losing credibility of his capability to provide unbiased news, it be his responsibility to supply information to the Brethren, the point that it maybe contentious don’t make it illegal just a tad unsavoury fer some to swallow. By deleting ALL just leaves a nasty taste in ALL our mouths. P.S. IF me scribe do find a fault with his ‘tekkie’ thingy and said lost comments be invisible just aboard Peapod then I rightly apologise.
Please give us a break. Decide what is sensibly liable to litigation and a risk to you, remove that comment and carry on.
The public comment and pressure is extremely healthy and reflects many people's views. Councillors, by their own admittance, read the comments and make a worthwhile contribution, either in their own name or pseudonym.
I think the Echo are providing an excellent public service and long may it continue. It is just the editing/moderating 'system' needs to be slicker.
boscombewizard, Boscombe says...
9:43am Fri 9 Jul 10
busguy, Bournemouth says...
9:51am Fri 9 Jul 10
boscombewizard wrote:This forum is a 'public service', and I reckon The Echo does a good job in treading the careful line.
Hold on, this is the Echo not Panorama. There has never been any investigative journalism or challenge to the council form the Echo. It's a typical safe local paper that won't take risks.
Without it, a really useful communication channel for public use would be lost.
Cookie75, Poole says...
11:46am Fri 9 Jul 10
busguy, Bournemouth says...
12:23pm Fri 9 Jul 10
Cookie75 wrote:Stop moaning.
If towns/cities gained income from the amount of negative moaners in its populace then Bournemouth would be one of the richest places in the world.
The town does gain income from the residents and generally that's why they are now questioning what's going on because they are not seeing value for money.
Most people want to see positive change, improvements, service, results, a successful Bournemouth, integrity, etc. etc. Why should we stand for this dumbing down of our expectations?
Time for a change. 'People Power' can bring about change, even if it takes a little time sometimes.
McVICAR, bournemouth says...
1:00pm Fri 9 Jul 10
Boscombe seafront never needed regenerating, its the high street that needs this, but what government of council will have the guts to attempt the impossible.
LIFE’S A BEACH: Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, pictured with Echo reporter Julie Magee, visits one of the beach pods during a visit to Boscombe during the LGA Conference. Picture: Sally Adams ID: 10749307 .
McVICAR, bournemouth says...
12:53pm Thu 8 Jul 10
So Eric Pickles i suggest you book tourself into the nearest lunatic asylm with the rest of your money grabbing, money wasting buddies.