Gaps

..in the hedge
..in the PCs memory / integrity / decency
..in our presentation / politics 
..in common sense

A Blip what you feel / think today..

Cathartic Rant
It's a NO
The PC (Parish Council) refused to have any discussion on the donated hedge saplings that they'd informally agreed to and known and been updated on since last November - even during the 10 mins public speaking time, nor under the standard Green Spaces agenda item. 
They're arriving early March.

Excuses included-
* It was development not maintenance of the existing hedge
* Was not on the agenda
* They'd agreed not to talk about the hedge for 6 months (from Nov)
* Still claiming village opinion was evenly balanced between a natural look and a twee look, despite an overwhelming village survey result in favour of the former
* Insurance was still potentially an issue

In typical style I stood up to leave around 5 minutes in to the meeting, but stayed for another 5 whilst my fellow insurgent persisted more calmly.

It struck me that the paid village clerk was leading the obstructiveness in deciding as usual to pick what rules / guidelines she wished to use, and ignore any that didn't suit her, without any regard to the spirit, or intention of them.

I suggested that if the PC no longer wished to use the 60 saplings then I would offer them to other public projects in Southwell or the village. I'd hope that would give then food for thought, especially given many villagers were in the open meeting in Nov where the Clerk actually offered to apply for the saplings herself. 

Action
We will have some further informal discussions with them before updating the village and asking for support at the next PC meeting 15th Mar.