Fury over pyramid plans
6:42am Friday 4th January 2008
Comments (38)PROTESTERS against a controversial Solar Pyramid proposed for Poole were celebrating on Thursday night after winning the first stage of their fight.
Councillors rejected Poole cabinet's decision to approve spending up to £40,000 on a feasibility study and said the matter should be sent back to them with the strong recommendation that it be referred to full council.
How can they make a decision to spend £40,000 of public money when we don’t know where it’s going to go?
Cllr Phil Eades
Cllr Phil Eades, who had "called in" cabinet's decision to be scrutinised by the Call-In Scrutiny Committee, hit out at the mystery surrounding the proposed site, telling the meeting: "I find this a truly bizarre decision taken by cabinet. How can they make a decision to spend £40,000 of public money when we don't know where it's going to go?
"The residents of Poole don't believe that's true. People don't believe it's non-site specific. They (the Solar Pyramid Team) came to this council with a proposal to build this on Baiter and everyone knows it's true."
Cllr Eades also revealed that by using the Freedom of Information Act, he discovered at 4.31pm on Thursday that the Town Centre Management Board spent almost £2,000 of taxpayers' money wining and dining the Solar Pyramid Team at Compton Acres.
Under heavy questioning by committee members, Council Leader Cllr Brian Leverett said: "The fact is at this stage it is not site specific. It couldn't be site specific. It's not even scheme specific.
"Cabinet's proposal is about looking for a tourist attraction. It's a scoping study and no more."
Only Baiter Park residents were invited to attend a public meeting at the Lighthouse because there was "a great deal of concern and worry" from local people that the pyramid was to be sited on Baiter Park (Harbourside Park), he added.
Chairman Cllr Judy Butt said that she had attended the meeting where the Solar Pyramid Team gave a presentation on the project adding: "I must admit to the untrained eye the picture that was shown certainly gave me the perception it was Baiter."
Cllr David Gillard also questioned whether the existing infrastructure could stand the extra people attracted into Poole and how much would need to be spent.
Questions were also asked by the committee as to why it had not gone before the Local Economy Overview Group or submitted as a planning application.
Addressing the committee, former headmaster Michael Randall said: "How many people would turn up to it on a day like today? It becomes a white elephant for part of the year. Why are we spending ratepayers' money on something to promote a commercial enterprise? It will cast an immense shadow over my property."
Another resident said: "What I can't understand is why nobody has got the guts to tell us where it's going to be sited. We are not fools on Baiter. It's a waste of taxpayers' money."
Other residents questioned where activities that currently use Baiter Park would go, such as dog walkers, kite flying and Poole Afloat.
Summing up, chairman Cllr Butt said she was "extremely disappointed" in the way the matter has been handled by cabinet.
The issue comes before cabinet again on January 29.
Your Say YourThisisdorset
Slightly right of Attilla The, poole says...
8:38am Fri 4 Jan 08
A call from the floor at the end of the meeting with 100% support for total unacceptability of the scheme ANYWHERE in the Borough was followed by a call for Cllr Leverett's resignation. Perhaps he will now FINALLY get the message!
accountability, Ex Local says...
8:53am Fri 4 Jan 08
A watching brief is necessary but people power will rule OK!
Phil, Poole says...
9:26am Fri 4 Jan 08
the Town Centre Management Board spent almost £2,000 of taxpayers' money wining and dining the Solar Pyramid Team at Compton Acres
Surely a commercial enterprise trying to sell a project to the council should foot the bill for such entertaining?
John, Poole says...
9:33am Fri 4 Jan 08
There was a smart man named Bright
Who could travel much faster than light
He started one day
In the relative way
And came back on the previous night
Mesphinx, this could explain why the Tortoise is ahead of the Hare in this hair-brained scheme!
Just a thought, has Cllr Leverett considered a Guillotine as a suitable tourist attraction?!
ALL SEEING EYE, POOLE says...
9:34am Fri 4 Jan 08
John, Poole says...
9:48am Fri 4 Jan 08
Phil wrote:Not with this Council, who have only budgetted £40000 of Council taxpayers' money so far. Clearly they are seeking best value! What better use of taxpayers' money than a dinner where the selected representatives of the Council can eat wisely, but not too well, and talk well, but not too wisely?!
the Town Centre Management Board spent almost £2,000 of taxpayers' money wining and dining the Solar Pyramid Team at Compton AcresSurely a commercial enterprise trying to sell a project to the council should foot the bill for such entertaining?
spoon, Poole says...
9:56am Fri 4 Jan 08
VOTE HIM OUT!
Charlie, says...
10:22am Fri 4 Jan 08
Oh, how I feel sorry for them.
And I second the question - why didn't the pyramid team pay for the very expensive meal at Compton Acres? Under the Freedom of Information Act, I'd like to know how many councillors and pyramid team people there were at this meal, and what they ate. We're entitled to an itemised breakdown of just what we paid for.
John, Poole says...
11:04am Fri 4 Jan 08
I trust Poole,s Cabinet Member for the Environment was at the dinner getting his gut full!
John, Poole says...
11:08am Fri 4 Jan 08
spoon wrote:Perhaps, if Cllr Leverett can get his head round my alternative suggesion for a tourist attraction,i.e. a Guillotine, HEADS WILL ROLL!
Leverett is long overdue being kicked out of this council. VOTE HIM OUT!
Vikki27, Poole says...
11:19am Fri 4 Jan 08
Mike Randall's comments are completely true and it still mystifies me as to how some members of the council fail to see that the majority of the time, the pyramid will be nothing more than a blemish on the landscape. If, howeve, Cllr Leverett is wanting to get some notoriety for his name in history, he will most certainly be achieving that with his bull-headed actions, though perhaps not for the reasons he had hoped.
RichT, Christchurch says...
11:31am Fri 4 Jan 08
Melly, Poole says...
12:43pm Fri 4 Jan 08
ALL SEEING EYE wrote:I take it by your name, that you have an axe to grind against the Masons.
The counsellors should check how many FREEMASONS are in the CABINET and also part of the SOLAR PYRAMID TEAM - Once again its jobs for the boys with the funny handshake and rolled up trouser leg – sadly Poole Council is rotten to the core with these infiltrators.
Don't mistake the networking within the society, with the obvious cronyism that is virulant within both Poole and Bournemouth Councils.
There may well be people mis-using their Mason's connections, but there are an awful lot more in the Council who just want to throw their collective weight around regardless of public opinion, just to get themselves noticed and to feel important.
And before you ask, no, I am not a member myself.
ALL SEEING EYE, POOLE says...
1:02pm Fri 4 Jan 08
Melly wrote:Axe to grind Melly? Perhaps if you knew how many Masonic closed shops there are in the area you would realise just how the network works. For instance try contracting in Poole docks if you are not a Freemason!I am glad you agree with me regarding the egotistical bullying counsellors whom most of are looking after their own personal interests. They are not all Freemasons but the ones with the power are!!
ALL SEEING EYE wrote: The counsellors should check how many FREEMASONS are in the CABINET and also part of the SOLAR PYRAMID TEAM - Once again its jobs for the boys with the funny handshake and rolled up trouser leg – sadly Poole Council is rotten to the core with these infiltrators.I take it by your name, that you have an axe to grind against the Masons. Don't mistake the networking within the society, with the obvious cronyism that is virulant within both Poole and Bournemouth Councils. There may well be people mis-using their Mason's connections, but there are an awful lot more in the Council who just want to throw their collective weight around regardless of public opinion, just to get themselves noticed and to feel important. And before you ask, no, I am not a member myself.
ALL SEEING EYE, POOLE says...
1:33pm Fri 4 Jan 08
spoon wrote:Fraternal Brother Cllr Leverett is far too protected by his cronies to be kicked out and far too well paid to resign!
Leverett is long overdue being kicked out of this council. VOTE HIM OUT!
ALL SEEING EYE, POOLE says...
1:34pm Fri 4 Jan 08
spoon wrote:Fraternal Brother Cllr Leverett is far too protected by his cronies to be kicked out and far too well paid to resign!
Leverett is long overdue being kicked out of this council. VOTE HIM OUT!
E.L.M., Dorset says...
3:07pm Fri 4 Jan 08
spoon wrote:So would you take his place? If you think you can do his job go for it,as the old saying goes "put up,or shut up".
Leverett is long overdue being kicked out of this council. VOTE HIM OUT!
palexgo, earth says...
3:45pm Fri 4 Jan 08
Portsmouth council overspent £11m on the spinnaker tower and Bath council squandered £26m refurbishing the baths.
I hate to think what the proposed bridge will cost Poole council tax payers.
Tim M, usa says...
4:25pm Fri 4 Jan 08
It'd be interesting to see whether the 21st Century work lasts as long as the Roman...
godzilla, hamworthy says...
4:47pm Fri 4 Jan 08
The bridge will be an asset wahtever it costs and I will gladly pay towards it
Quakers, Poole says...
5:57pm Fri 4 Jan 08
ColinLambert, Parkstone says...
6:27pm Fri 4 Jan 08
Phil Eades is AGAINST this lunacy. Leverett (who kept saying 'set a hare running' last night!! I wish he would and so did most present last night as there were calls for his resignation))is the lunatic together with Parker who want to waste our money & blight our harbour side. They are elected Councillors. Bright, whose performance was just as dire and full of rubbish as Leverett's, is a paid Council Officer. Both should consider their positions after the appalling performance they put up yesterday, as should anyone in the Council, elected or paid, who is demented enough to think this abortion is a good idea.
accountability, Chichester says...
7:19pm Fri 4 Jan 08
ColinLambert wrote:Nice one Colin!
Quakers. I think you have mixed up your people.
Phil Eades is AGAINST this lunacy. Leverett (who kept saying 'set a hare running' last night!! I wish he would and so did most present last night as there were calls for his resignation))is the lunatic together with Parker who want to waste our money & blight our harbour side. They are elected Councillors. Bright, whose performance was just as dire and full of rubbish as Leverett's, is a paid Council Officer. Both should consider their positions after the appalling performance they put up yesterday, as should anyone in the Council, elected or paid, who is demented enough to think this abortion is a good idea.
You have to be blunt because these numpties don't see or hear any protests.
They are on their ego trips to an OBE or something for 60 years of stalwart service to 'their' community.
They need hiking out and let the sensible Mr Eades run the show.
Gordon, Poole says...
7:31pm Fri 4 Jan 08
Could not the money be invested in the new bridge to make that a first class attraction we need to be prudent with our money.
Terry Pardy, Broadstone says...
8:48pm Fri 4 Jan 08
ALL SEEING EYE, POOLE says...
9:11pm Fri 4 Jan 08
godzilla wrote:Well Godzilla YOU pay for the bridge!! The natives on this side of the water will not get any benefit but it will allow the hordes of foreiners from Hamworthy to infiltrate our Poole homeland. Seriously though Godzilla with your attitute you are playing right into the councils hands knowing that with people like you the council will fleece us as much as they can!!
palexgo sdays: hate to think what the proposed bridge will cost Poole council tax payers. The bridge will be an asset wahtever it costs and I will gladly pay towards it
Vikki27, Poole says...
9:13pm Fri 4 Jan 08
godzilla, hamworthy says...
9:29pm Fri 4 Jan 08
ALL SEEING EYE wrote:my point is as we are paying through the nose anyway for something it might as well be useful AND i THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT A NEW BRIDGE WILL BENEFIT THE WHOLE AREA NOT JUST THIS SIDE OF THE WATER unlike yourself I care about all of Poole not just where i live
godzilla wrote: palexgo sdays: hate to think what the proposed bridge will cost Poole council tax payers. The bridge will be an asset wahtever it costs and I will gladly pay towards itWell Godzilla YOU pay for the bridge!! The natives on this side of the water will not get any benefit but it will allow the hordes of foreiners from Hamworthy to infiltrate our Poole homeland. Seriously though Godzilla with your attitute you are playing right into the councils hands knowing that with people like you the council will fleece us as much as they can!!
Nick, Bournemouth says...
9:34pm Fri 4 Jan 08
godzilla wrote:Writing as a former Army Engineer I think the second bridge design is seriously flawed. It will cost more to maintain than to build. I doubt they will be able to raise those big wings in a strong wind and ,once lifted, it will wobble.
palexgo sdays: hate to think what the proposed bridge will cost Poole council tax payers. The bridge will be an asset wahtever it costs and I will gladly pay towards it
There is also the question of all those HGVs using it. I saw no safety barriers.
Benjamin, Hamworthy says...
9:52pm Fri 4 Jan 08
Benjamin, Hamworthy says...
9:56pm Fri 4 Jan 08
godzilla wrote:We who live on Hamworthy will have to go around Holes Bay when the power Station site and bridge is complete. Blandford Road will be unusable!
ALL SEEING EYE wrote:my point is as we are paying through the nose anyway for something it might as well be useful AND i THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT A NEW BRIDGE WILL BENEFIT THE WHOLE AREA NOT JUST THIS SIDE OF THE WATER unlike yourself I care about all of Poole not just where i livegodzilla wrote: palexgo sdays: hate to think what the proposed bridge will cost Poole council tax payers. The bridge will be an asset wahtever it costs and I will gladly pay towards itWell Godzilla YOU pay for the bridge!! The natives on this side of the water will not get any benefit but it will allow the hordes of foreiners from Hamworthy to infiltrate our Poole homeland. Seriously though Godzilla with your attitute you are playing right into the councils hands knowing that with people like you the council will fleece us as much as they can!!
Mike Pickering, Bournemouth says...
11:50pm Fri 4 Jan 08
There could be an ice-rink in the body, and from the eyes they could project IMAX resolution films across to a huge screen on Brownsea Island.
E.L.M., Dorset says...
1:07pm Sat 5 Jan 08
Eddie, Poole says...
4:02pm Sun 6 Jan 08
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to stop the proposed Solar Pyramid from being built on Baiter Park, Poole Dorset
DavidR, Broadstone says...
7:05pm Sun 6 Jan 08
One can see why councillors could not accept hospitality for a lunch at Compton Acres (but what a lunch it must have been for the cost involved!) from potential contractors/consulta
nts, and so the council must pay to preserve the proprieties, but if outside parties are trying to get business from us, let them pay for the feasibility study in full, with no obligation upon the Council to accept the results.
One has an awful feeling that the proponents of the Pyramid scheme within the Council are not worthy guardians of the public purse. With this in mind, not just the Pyramid proposal but all other schemes of theirs must be looked at closely to see that all is well and above board.
We also need real and proven assurance that the council appointed auditors are truly independent and look into all business matters and contractor/consultan
t selection processes so that their findings can be published. The Pyramid Scheme has a smell about it that can only be dispersed by full disclosure of what has gone on and is going on.
I know that I am not alone in being suspicious of this scheme, and quite apart from all politics, it raises issues that need to be examined closely, with results published for everyone to see, not just for this scheme but for wider matters as well.
Jellalabad, Broadstone says...
9:01pm Sun 6 Jan 08
kevinparkstone, parkstone says...
1:49pm Fri 11 Jan 08
HIGH HOPES: An artist's impression of the Solar Pyramid, which was heavily criticised
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godzilla, hamworthy says...
7:43am Fri 4 Jan 08