“"Banned3

Vast majority would mean much more then 50% of the population.

A vast majority only concerns a count of those who voted. Votes and polls have no connection with populations.”

“What on earth is going on in the former village of Great Coates? Doesn't anybody realise that this is no longer a village but just another part of Grimsby and the Willows estate.Why does the parish council exist? Was it really necessary in the first instance and if it was can we all have one? Providing it's at no cost to the council taxpayer that is. And the "village hall". Is somebody having a laugh? If folk in that part of Grimsby fancy having a knees-up can't they hire a room or some thing at the former Whitgift school or another suitable venue in the locality? For example Healing village hall is only up the road and they got that because it was an old telephone exchange and BT didn't want it any longer.I'm sure they wouldn't mind sharing.That would make a damn site more economical sense rather than saddling the local residents with a debt they don't want in the first place. Incidentally,who are the people that make up the actual parish council? Are they long standing residents of the old village or just a bunch of dissident townies longing for a bit of the rural life so long as it's not too far from the bus stop and shops? Well,if they are they can put on their green wellies and corduroy caps and pop to the paper shop in Wingate Parade for the latest copy of Country Life and really feel a part of the good old English village life. However,whilst I never have been a resident of Great Coates village I do remember it very very well. It was a village in the true sense of the word then,something it no longer is. The good folk of the village spoke with that gentle rounded Lincolnshire dialect so different from the Grimmies down the road at Toothill and no housing or industrial estates encroached on the village. Now only a few of the residents still speak with that slight Lincolnshire "lilt" but most of the folk are Grimbarians, I suppose it was inevitable that one day the village would disappear and no amount of play acting will bring it back too life,just look what's happening now over the issue of the hall. That never would have happened in the village of Great Coates.”

“Banned3

Vast majority would mean much more then 50% of the population. Once again you are trying to make the Parish poll into something it is not. The Parish Council represents all of the residents not just a vocal group trying to force their own position. Also I do care about my neighbours and future generations which is why I am for the community facility. As well as that I'm signed up for the councils scheme to be on call to help elderly or vulnerable people of the Parish in times of need. I hope as a good neighbors many more people will do the same. The leaflets were available at the first Healing meeting but you might not have got one as you may have left before the end of the meeting like so many others.
I'm not sure where you get your information from, "Throughout the country there are many communities pushing to abolish their Parish Councils", but once again you are incorrect. As I mentioned the Localism Bill is devolving more power to local government of which the Parish Councils are an integral part representing 16 million people in the UK. Between 1997 and 2008 the Government received four cases seeking to abolish parish councils and of these only one was approved for abolition by the Secretary of State. In the last decade 200 parish councils have been created so as I said, Parish Councils are here to stay and you should think about getting a new source of information!”

“So you're saying that the Parish Council should ignore the views of the residents they are meant to represent? Fair enough if it was a close call, but it wasn't, it was a whitewash. This isn't one group of people saying the money should not be borrowed, it's the vast majority. Now if you think that little of your neighbours and fellow residents of Great Coates I think that says a lot about you.

Throughout the country there are many communities pushing to abolish their Parish Councils. It's another layer of unnecessary governance where the costs greatly outweigh the benefits.”

“Banned3

I have never disputed the outcome of the poll, what I have disputed is trying to make the poll into something more then an expression of views of the people who voted. The Village Council has to make a decision on the best interests of the community for now and the future and if they decide that the village hall is the in the best interests then they have a duty to go ahead with it. They have listened to the community and reduced costs by almost half. It would be undemocratic not to do what they feel is best for the village and be pressured by one group of people into changing their decision.

As for the "lack or requirement for a parish council", citing the GTF stadium as the only reason for the Parish Council is extremely short sighted. I'm sure you will remember David Cameron's Big Society initiative. One of the main tenets of this is transferring powers from central to local government and parish councils are a central part of this and are on the rise. The localism bill grants more powers and enables a greater say in local services so Parish Councils are here to stay.”

“And you know only a small minority will play around with it do you? You've asked everyone locally?”

“Sorry, let me try again.

Austin Mitchell has faced two elections since a Councillor was voted for in Great Coates, hardly a vaild comparison. In fact a pretty pathetic one. In fact ony around 15% of those eligible to vote actually ticked the box next to Mr Mitchell's name. Going by your standards the vote should be ignored.

Clarice, the fact remains that the people of Great Coates overwhelmingly voted against borrowing hundreds of thousands of pounds to build a Village Hall. It wasn't even a contest. Those that don't vote were given the opportunity to vote but didn't, renedering their opinions irrelevant. We are in times of financial hardship. Any increase in the cost of living is unwelcome, particularly for something that is merely a white elephant for a VERY small minority to play around with.”

“Oh dear Clarice, liking your own comments?? How sad...

Austin Mitchell has”

“Your reasoning that apathy is due to a lack of the public wanting a council doesn't hold up unfortunately. Those against the council were clearly the ones who did turn up to vote. So where does that leave us with the apathetic?
And do you really think that all the council and Great Coates villagers were/are interested in is having or not having a stadium built nearby? Very patronising to those of us less blinkered. This may be your view but there are many residents, me included, who have other issues of interest and are not just focused on the stadium and Reading Rooms. Our lives do not revolve around one issue, there are always issues arising. The council wasn't set up just to fight against the stadium! You really think that????!!!”

“If you're elected, you're elected until someone else wins your place!!!! Austin Mitchell is still in place goodness knows how many years later.......tell him he doesn't count!!!”