Editor,
I wish to reply to a letter by Alastair P G Welsh in last week’s Newton News.
As a democratically elected member of Great Aycliffe Town Council for 28 years, I have become accustomed to receiving abuse from members of the public. Recently I have been accused of being a Fascist, and now a Communist. The truth is that I have been a member of the Labour Party, since I was 18 years old. As an elected member of the County Council, Sedgefield District Council and the Town Council, I have always – as my record shows – put Aycliffe before council or party.
Politicians expect to be attacked. It is beyond the pale to attack officers of the Council and bring their character into disrepute. Officers are like any other reader who is fortunate to have a job. Officers carry out the orders of foremen and managers, who in turn carry out the decisions made by elected Councillors in properly convened Council meetings.
Mr Welsh wrongly believes that the Town’s Environment Officer is ‘residential’ and ‘Public (play) Park’ – whatever that means – and that the Town Council does not need an Environment Officer. The duties and responsibilities of Mr Steve Cooper, Environment Officer, include:
Facilitating the sustainable conservation, development and management of green spaces and nature areas of Great Aycliffe.
Reviewing the Council’s Environment Plan, including revising its requirements and policies.
Developing, designing and overseeing the implementation of projects that enhance the natural environment and biodiversity of the Great Aycliffe area, plus access to green spaces, woodlands and nature reserves through the use of Council resources, joint ventures and working with other like-minded organisations and voluntary groups.
Caring for, managing and conserving Council-owned land, woodland and nature reserves.
Encouraging and facilitating community involvement in countryside and other environmental activities which enhance Great Aycliffe, including the management of nature reserves, by providing appropriate training, advice and support in respect of practical project delivery to volunteer/community groups.
Developing a respect and understanding of the environment of Great Aycliffe by developing an environmental studies centre for use by schools and community groups.
Advising the Council of the impact of new legislation, consultation documents and central/local government initiatives with regard to environmental matters and advise managers and members accordingly.
Commenting on planning applications that may have an environmental/biodiversity impact within Great Aycliffe.
Focusing on areas of land that need environmental improvement and suggesting appropriate actions.
In attacking Steve Cooper, Mr Welsh is attacking a well-qualified officer of respectable character. Steve is a hardworking, honest and approachable man who is not only respected by his work colleagues, but also by members of the public he comes into contact with.
Councillors also recognise the massive contribution he has made to the environment in our town. Recently he supervised the construction of the Jubilee Woodland and the wildflower meadows in Woodham Burn. At the last Environment Committee meeting, he reported 17 events he had organised and run, for example Wildflower Folklore, Krafty Kritters and Mini Beasting, all of which were appreciated by those who attended. Those who know Steve, realise what an asset he is to our town.
Not only was Mr Welsh mistaken in the role of the Environment Officer, he made three other errors which he should have checked or researched before he went into print. The lakes at West Park were not primarily designed as boating lakes. They were designed as part of an Urban Drainage Scheme, to take surface drainage water from Oakfield, Ashfield and Beechfield estates. Boats came much later.
A simple look at his waste disposal bins would inform Mr Welsh that the duty of waste disposal is carried out by the County Council and not the Town Council or its Environment Officer.
Finally, the Durham County Council consultation document on Smoke-Free Play Areas does not apply to all areas of parks, but only play areas. It is not banning smoking in play areas, it is requesting smokers not to smoke in the play areas, which is a reasonable request.
Cllr Bob Fleming, Leader of the Council
