Angry residents walk out of Committee meeting in protest
RDRA presented our Ebury Play Area petition to the Climate Change and Leisure Committee on 11th March. We asked Paul Harding to speak on this topic for 3 minutes as he is a nearby resident – his excellent speech is below. After his speech, the Committee lead responded by saying that construction work will commence at the end of the month, before Easter. But in a previous meeting another Councillor said that “boots on the ground” work started last week! All residents at the meeting walked out in disgust because the Committee lead didn’t allow a point of order or discussion.
There is a rumour of a demonstration happening on 28th March starting at the Council offices at and ending at the Play Area – we’ll keep you posted if we find out more information!
Paul’s excellent speech
“While studying for a post graduate business qualification, I learned a phrase that has stayed with me ever since; behaviour is an observable function.
“With that in mind, I observe the absence of any work in the Ebury Playground since spring last year to demonstrate the council’s inept management of the playground refurbishment project. Although yes, I did see two people in there this afternoon, with their clipboards, hiviz jackets, over shoes and hard hats – but they did no actual work; merely observed and recorded what has lain there – or grown there – for almost a year now. The last time I recall seeing anyone in there was the same day that a TRDC public meeting was to be held that evening in this room.
“To be absolutely clear; I use the word “inept” here because it most closely meets the level of skill observed by TRDC’s behaviour in this matter; synonyms are – clumsy, incompetent, ineffective, inadequate. You will no doubt be aware that, with the arrival of spring, those weeds that were imported to the Ebury Playground a year ago will soon be seeding, germinating, sprouting and spreading. I understand that the recommended remedy to NNIS such as Japanese knotweed is to either treat with pesticide or mechanical removal. I further understand that the contractor has apparently offered removal, but TRDC has rejected this and said it wants to have the weeds treated. Has it escaped TRDC’s notice that this is a children’s playground?
“We, your public, residents and electors are fed up with asking you to do the right thing; you seem incapable of responding without dithering, obfuscation and avoiding the issues. When the forthcoming local government reorganisation is settled, yours will be the worst possible legacy in the history of this town.”
Paul Harding 11/3/26
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