2,370 residents viewed the Dame's blog on the threat-now removed, to Portobello Market.
Some comments asked what Cllr Thalassites had to do with quietening the storm.
The comment below explains the role Thalassites and certain officers played to bring reason to bear.
Another point to bear in mind. If you are encircled with good officers leading a council is not rocket science: it just requires good judgement.
When you have a greedy, inept and quite stupid leader like ex Cllr Pooter-Cockell leading you breed trouble.
Anyway, the Dame leaves you with this comment......
Anonymous14 March 2021 at 01:02
An explanation. In part in response to the government's covid recovery plan, ten Portobello hospitality businesses simultaneously applied for licences to place tables and chairs in the street in the middle of Portobello market, up to 11.5 hours a day 7 days a week. The pubs etc were understandably keen to recover their financial losses due to lockdown. The furniture was to be placed out during market hours; sweeping away Portobello market. Even now, details of this plan remain unknown.
All ten licences were expected to slip quietly through RBKC's licensing system. Fortunately, the plot was discovered in the nick of time. The traders were furious. Neither the town hall nor the businesses had been warned that the project was, as well as being ethically unacceptable, unlawful in respect of the London Local Authorities Act 1952 etc.
RBKC's markets are Cllr Faulks' responsibility. Her sole contribution to the resulting uproar seems to have been to tell the street traders to adjust to the new reality. Rebellion was in the air!
Then after a few days of rising anger, Cllr Thalassites - responsible for roadways - simply wrote a brief letter to a member of the public. In doing so, he cut through the impending chaos. Certain RBKC officers also did their duty to the public. It is now understood that Portobello street dining will be an evening affair; an added attraction after the world famous market has closed for the day. Largely thanks to Cllr Thalassites reason has triumphed.
The Dame's reader numbers are astonishing! She is a power in the land.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope that councillor Thalassites engages with the long overdue investment in and regeneration of Portobello market. Unlike his colleagues, he seems to have some understanding of how it works. The council always has money for the useless Holland Park Opera, but not for a unique asset like the market.
ReplyDeleteWell, you obviously swan around feeling cultured in Portobello. Cockell who was a real philistine used to have lessons on the opera so he could show off
ReplyDeleteWe need the return of Councillor Miss Doreen Weatherhead. She was really scary, but fair. She would have wiped the floor with anyone who dared to try to get rid of the market traders.
ReplyDeleteWe need councillors with backbone and a sense of responsibility towards the various communities that contribute to the richness of society. This is not a party political issue, but a moral one.
ReplyDeleteThat's right. Why is it so unusual for a K and C councillor to pay attention to a local problem? It tells us so much.
ReplyDeleteSurely this brings us back to cllr Thalasites. Put simply, he get's it. The council works to support the public, not big businesses.
ReplyDelete