Big wigs in cardiff run scared of facing the public!

Berman is right about the date - Glamorgan Building (Committee Room 1) for 5pm on 12 December for the Bute Park Debate. Councillor Nigel Howells not available either but this is urgent -

Lets hope we can find a senior Cardiff Council lib dem who is free! And someone from the HLF!
Jennifer Stewart

Jennifer doesn't want to attend a public meeting - She says 'To be honest I don't think there would be much more to add to our public statement: - as you know, we are not funding the new access bridge, we are funding the restoration of the historic park. And, as a funder, we have no role, nor locus, in the planning process. These are rather brief, boring messages for the audience! And the real debate will centre on other issues, not our funding.'

But she seems to have forgotten that she wrote to me saying HLF did tell the council that the "success of the HLF project will depend on the success of the new access bridge, and in particular the acceptance of the bridge by all users of the Park including local residents and community groups"

email from jennifer stuart to me

Dear Ms. ...
Thank you for your communication of 19th October outlining your concerns about the proposed new bridge at Bute Park. Although the Heritage Lottery Fund has made a substantial award to Bute Park for the restoration of the historic park, the design, planning and construction of the new access bridge does not form part of this award. However we are conscious that the success of the HLF project will depend on the success of the new access bridge, and in particular the acceptance of the bridge by all users of the Park including local residents and community groups. For this reason we have asked the Council to demonstrate the involvement of users both in the design and long-term maintenance of the bridge. We are forwarding a copy of your email to Pat Thomson who is responsible for the project on behalf of the Council, for a more detailed response.
Thank you again for your interest in the work of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Yours Sincerely Jennifer Stewart
Pennaeth CDL, Cymru/Head of HLF, Wales-----Original Message-----
Llinell uniongyrchol/direct line 029 2023 4144
www.hlf.org.uk jennifers@hlf.org.uk,

Email From: Berman, Rodney (Cllr)
Sent: Sat, 29 Nov 2008 9:40
Subject: RE: private eye and Bute Park

I have already explained to Professor Morgan that Councillor Nigel Howells would be much better placed than me to participate in the debate on behalf of the Council as the Executive Member responsible for parks.

I have also explained that he is already committed to being out of the country on 12 December (which was the date given to me by Professor Morgan, not 10 December) and that I would also not be available on that date as I am committed to being in mid-Wales.

However, I have made it clear to Professor Morgan that Nigel Howells would be more than happy to participate in the debate if it was possible to rearrange the date and have suggested to Professor Morgan that he liases with Nigel Howells directly.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Yours sincerely,

Rodney Berman

Leader of Cardiff Council

---