Nocton Dairies Ltd - report of meeting

Report from Nocton Dairies Liaison Meeting - 23rd September

Well... it seems that's it folks. No more Liaison Group meetings until after the plans have been resubmitted to NKDC by Nocton Dairies.

The draft FactSheet prepared by Nocton Dairies Ltd was not approved by the village attendees... as it was not felt to be their responsibility. As such therefore, it remains an item of 'sales literature' for the proposed dairy, ready to be issued out to residents.

Nocton Dairies were disappointed about there being no Parish Council representation from Dunston and Nocton, but fully intend trying to open communication links with them in future. So it seems not only have Branston declined to get involved with Nocton Dairies, Scopwick Parish Council have not responded, Dunston and Nocton Parish Councils have not bought in to the process either. This just leaves Metheringham and Potterhanworth Parish Councils liaising with Nocton Dairies.

Metheringham Parish Council appear to have indicated they would like to issue the Nocton Dairies FactSheet to their local residents, whereas all other Parish Councils have refused to distribute this literature.

I understand Nocton Dairies intend to hold a 'roadshow' to reach out to residents, but no particular format for this was agreed at the meeting.

So watch out for this FactSheet dropping through your door!

The Big Society is coming to you...

In David Cameron's speech on 10th November 2009, he outlined his thoughts on the size, scope and role of Government.  If you are interested, the weblink below will take you to it, but there are a couple of extracts I'd like to share with you:

"The first step is to redistribute power and control from the central state and its agencies to individuals and local communities.  That way, we can create the opportunity for people to take responsibility. This is absolutely in line with the spirit of the age - the post-bureaucratic age."

Later he goes on to say:

"The second group of people we need to engage in our social action strategy are those I would describe as community activists.

Unlike social entrepreneurs, they do not play a formal role in their communities, they don't have the time or inclination to run a social programme with all the responsibility that involves, but they do want to help. 

Running parents groups, organising beat meetings with the police, getting people together in a front room to discuss ways to improve the neighbourhood.  All this goes on today, but not enough. We need more community activism, and more community activists."

http://www.conservatives.com/News/Speeches/2009/11/David_Cameron_The_Big_Society.aspx

So whether we like it or not... this is the future as the Government sees it, until it is replaced by some other ideology... and already there is a Big Society Network in action, see here:

http://www.thebigsociety.co.uk/idea.html

Will this bring in a new era of people who get involved in trying to improve their local community, or will they continue to expect the State or others to do this for them?  People are always bleating on about their 'Rights' nowadays, but often overlook the 'Responsibilities' that go hand-in-hand with them.

We have seen when communities are faced with possible life-changing issues, that may affect their very value/style of life, that people will rise up and be counted.  Perhaps this is what is happening with the Nocton Dairies application for an intensive dairy on our doorstep?

I like a little phrase that was once quoted to me:

'If you continue to do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got'.  Mmmm.

New right of appeal would give teeth to planning challenges

A public right of appeal in planning would end the costly judicial review process and ensure the delivery of good development.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/cif-green/2010/aug/19/planning-right-of-appeal-cpre