Guest 662- Registered: 18 Mar 2008
- Posts: 325
#1
Hi All,
I wanted to thank those of you that supported my uncle and myself last year.
Sadly River Parish Council only extended his contract for one year so 30 years of service came to an end on 31st March 2009.
So if anyone is looking for an experienced Groundsman or Gardener, let me know as I know just the man for the job!!
Sheli x
#2
Oh no, what a shame for your uncle, what sad news. .
All I can say is what goes around comes around, and yes I will be very interested in a lovely gardener for the next few months and I guess, with my gardening skills possibly longer LOL, I will give you a call x x
Guest 667- Registered: 6 Apr 2008
- Posts: 919
#3
I take it Sheli, that your uncle is Jimmy and it is a great shame, he did a great job not just because it was his job either but because it was in his heart.
As a River resident I am sorry and yes disgusted that the Parish Council have made this decision for a reason that can only be financial. I am sure he will find other work, as he is such a good and dedicated grounds-man.
He was also always ready to help Crabble Corn Mill with ideas and advice so thanks Jimmy & Best wishes.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#4
All I can say about that is, if I had still been on the River council my vote would have gone to Jim it is the A.G.M. soon so get down to it and have your say, I will be standing again next time round again like I have said before vote for the person, and some of the cllrs at River have been there a very long time, maybe we need new blood.
Vic M
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#5
I know I'm not a River resident, but it can be very short-sighted getting get of a gardener or groundsman.
They did that a few years at Elmsvale Rec. where everything was just perfect (so I'm told, as it was before my time); then to save costs they got rid of him and then the problems started and I'm sure many, many thousands of pounds have been spent on repairing and refurbishing damage done by vandals.
Don't forget as well, that Parish Councils rates are not capped as District Councils are, so if it was felt he was doing a good/worthwhile job, they could have kept him on and it would probably have worked out just a few pennies on the rates.
Roger
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#6
You are right on that one Roger. I am going to look into all this and maybe next year we can get him back if he would still do it than.
Vic M
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#7
The ground maintenance contact was put out to tender this year .I believe three or more were received .The discussion was in the confidential part of the agenda .
What people have to realise the ground runs at a loss over £30,000 this last year .This is a drain on our precept and as a lot of the users live outside of River. Sometimes cuts have to be made .Im confidient that the tenders were looked at very carefully ..
DDC budgets are always looked at very carefullly and its value for money that the public require .
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#8
By the way River Parish Council has new blood on the committee .Four new councillors in the last year and another has only been on there two years .
#9
"what people have to realise"...........................
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#10
"what people have to realise"...........................
is that since the DDC lost all their money in Icelandic banks ...that pensions have to be met by scrapping essential services.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#11
I do not agree with cllr Sue on this one, Jim has done a very good job over alot of years and because you get some one to do the job for less funding does not mean they will be as good as he was but time will tell. And we still need more new blood on the council.
Vic M
#12
I was going to sidestep this one but what the Hell...........local authorities have to tender and have to offer best value, but their remit also, should also, include local affairs and relationships. Loyalty to workers, loyalty to local services, and support for local people is also an underpinning raison d'etre for local councils. I wish I had the same confidence that sue has that tenders were looked at in a rounded and wholesome way, addressing all aspects of local governance.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#13
Not sure where you are coming from Marek .What has the Islandic Bank got to do with River Recreation Ground .
The Rec is paid for out of River residents coffers
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#14
Just walked up to Kearsney Abbey past the Recreation Ground and Crabble Mill what gems we have in Dover on our doorsteps yet we are always dismissing our green and open spaces as financial things,no amount of money is a waste on these green and pleasant lands.
On Saturday walked down the seafront and up the Western Heights mainly to get the blood flowing thru my battered legs after playing 90mins of Football on Friday,aren't we lucky living in Dover.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#15
Yes we are lucky John .Did you see the lovely array of Daffodills??I keep battling on to get money for the lake walls .I sat in the abbey grounds on Friday perfect .Right on my doorstep .My back garden if only .
#16
There are some fabulous places and sights here - we fell in love with the place on our first visit to house hunt a few years ago, having been "warned off" by others who claimed it was a dreadful place to live and dangerous to boot! I used to walk our old dog in Kearsney - happy days!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#17
getting back to the demise of the much respected groundsman purely as a cost saving measure, is this a case of the parish council knowing the price of everything, and the value of nothing?
#18
Although I do not have much information Howard, I fear it may be the case. I hope not, but my confidence about it is low.
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
#19
Why does River need a Parish Council, it's basically a suburb of Dover. It most certainly isn't a village.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
#20
Dave I .For many years residents fought for Parish Council status and in 1987 it was granted .I was one of the fouder members ,and served as a parish councillor for ten years .The one big thing we achieved was to retain the recreation ground .With out our long fight most of it would have been built on now .
There are many of us who think of River as a village and we are not a surburb of Dover .
We are a community .
Dont get me started on this .We were a parish long before Dover had a Town Council
