Cllr Adrian Smith

From Stuart Brays site:

LIBERAL Democrats in Hinckley & Bosworth have launched a stinging attack on the Conservatives for refusing to support calls to tighten up planning rules on mobile phone masts.

Currently, fewer restrictions govern planning applications for phone masts up to 15 metres in height, often making it difficult for councils to refuse permission for controversial proposals.

Liberal Democrats in Parliament recently moved an amendment to the Planning Bill which would have meant applications for phone masts would have required full planning permission and therefore be considered in the same way as applications for new buildings or change of use of existing ones.

But Labour MPs voted against the call and Conservative MPs did not bother voting at all.

Liberal Democrat Regeneration Spokesman, Cllr Stuart Bray, (Hinckley Castle) said, “Communities can sometimes be powerless to stop inappropriately sited phone masts going ahead because the planning system has fewer restrictions on them than for many other planning applications.

“This gives phone companies an advantage which is not enjoyed by other individuals and businesses applying for planning permission. Our amendment would have made the system fairer.

“I was very disappointed however to see that the Conservatives did not bother to vote for this change. They simply sat on their hands, despite telling everyone at the general election that they support this policy.

“As a result, communities in Hinckley & Bosworth will continue to find it hard to battle against inappropriate phone masts.”

David Cameron’s Conservatives talking about doing one thing, then voting the other way in Parliament - is this sounding familiar yet?

I am one of the people that Leicestershire Promotions insist on bombarding with emails proclaiming their successes, modest though they sometimes are (in the interests of fairness, they are sometimes noteworthy too).

Normally I only glance at these, but today’s missive warranted further reading as it was their Annual Report - or at least I tried to read it. Due to the subject matter of my PhD I am well versed in the lexicons of management, but this was something else.

This was a symphony of impenetrable prose and daft acronyms. Consider if you will their mission statement

Leicester Shire Promotions will help to shape and
facilitate a strong and successful destination renowned
for its progressive, well-rounded approach and its
unique blend of world-class attributes. We will
establish and develop a profile of Leicester and
Leicestershire as destinations of choice within England
and the most distinctive within the East Midlands. We
will strive to deliver one cohesive destination, which
seamlessly embraces the diversity of facets.

I freely admit that I have written (indeed, published) some absolute nonsense in the past but I recognise when I am beaten. The first sentence sounds like they are describing good Californian red wine (progressive, well rounded, world class…), and the second sentence means nothing at all.

Happily they stop talking balls after a few pages and talk about some things they have actually done - and not just sending me emails either.