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It was really pleasing to see the turn out for the inaugural meeting. I’m fully aware that creating something to bring about change will have its ups and downs, but I can safely say that it was a great start.
What was most pleasing for me at the meeting was how attendees spoke openly about the town and the issues that need to be addressed. It is difficult to express just how helpful it was when people detailed the problems that impact them on a daily basis and the years that have already been spent trying to get them resolved.
Without a doubt there is a sense the town has already been stitched up with Redcar and Cleveland council having already agreed plans that are in the pipeline and cannot be reversed. What we have to remember is that if the town comes together and enough people get behind Guisra, we will see results. If we look at the problems already in the pipeline and decide there is little or nothing we can do, then further bad decisions will be made. We are making it too easy for them at the moment.
There are places in the world where the citizens run the council and decide how the budget is spent. It may be too big a step in the UK but there is no reason for residents to be mere onlookers. As people said at the meeting, the council makes the decisions and by the time they get to consultation it is all about minor tweaks to their plans. Guisra will change that approach. We will plan and they will provide the tweaks and add value where they have the necessary teams.
Special thanks to Bernard Clarke, Kelly Dounce, Darren Smith and Lesley Oakley for their submissions. You can find more details in this newsletter.
So onwards and upwards. I’m looking forward to the next meeting. Don't forget to tell your family and friends about us - the more of us - the more we'll influence decisions.
All the best,
Michael Dakin
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