A little less consultation
SIR — Consultations, talk, a bit more consultation, and a lot more talk. The seemingly endless consultation process carried out by our council to figure out how to improve out city is proving costly, both in terms of money spent and also time. We don t h
SIR - Consultations, talk, a bit more consultation, and a lot more talk. The seemingly endless consultation process carried out by our council to figure out how to improve out city is proving costly, both in terms of money spent and also time.
We don't have time to continually chat about what would be nice things to do. Why can't we just get on and do it ?
As reported recently in New Scientist, initiatives are being implemented by towns and cities all over the world that don't require lots of consultation. They are just common sense ideas that people have got on and implemented.
For example, Todmorden in Yorkshire has embarked upon a plan to use all of its suitable and available green space as a communal larder.
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They've planted vegetable plots and an orchard and residents can harvest the produce for free. Their goal is to become self-sufficient in fruit, vegetables and eggs by 2018.
Across the world in Australia, the town of Bundanoon has become the first town in the world to ban the sale of bottled water following a vote by the residents.
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The island of Samso in Denmark has become fully self sufficient on renewable energy, with virtually all residents owning shares in a local wind farm which generates more power than the community needs, allowing the excess to be sold back to the national grid.
They also generate their own heat by burning locally grown straw in community heating plants.
Obviously not all of these ideas are necessarily suitable for St Albans, they are merely examples.
The St Albans Green Party has published its own ideas in the Green City Vision document, which is available to read or download on our website, www.sagreens.org.uk
Let's stop talking, finally agree some practical, meaningful initiatives that would make a difference to the quality of life in St Albans and just get on and implement them.
It would be great if St Albans could also be viewed as such an innovative and forward-thinking community.
PETE EGGLESTON
St Albans Green Party Candidate
Worley Road, St Albans
