Yesterday the 12th of December we saw yet another set of councillors ask for updates on the Records Office at the full council meeting organised by Portsmouth City Council.
We would firstly, like to thank Cllr Matthew Atkins and Cllr John Smith for trying to Champion the saving of the Former Records Office on Museum Road, but unfortunately, as always, they seemed to be fighting against an orange wave of supporters (Lib Dems) for the buildings demolition.
Below is a link to the Video which shows the debate going on between Steve Pitt and other Counsellors, but as you can see, it is very clear that they had their responses prepared ganging up like hyenas on genuine Counsellors trying to be the voice of their constituents. It is was also very disappointing to see the three St Thomas ward Liberal Democrat Counsellors, Chris Attwell, Ian Holder and Mark Jefferey in the background, sitting in the background nodding like the Churchill dogs. At no point have any of these three responded to the emails that have been sent nor communicated with any of the residents of the area, nor our campaign to try and discover why it is that the local continents feel the way we feel, yet they say they represent our best interests apparently.
Cllr Matt Atkins and Cllr John Smith do not represent St Thomas Ward yet they have gone out of their way on top of helping their local ward residents with this matter. I would suggest that Ian Holder, Mark Jeffery and Chris Attwell, the three Liberal Democrat Counsellors for St Thomas take note of this behaviour and maybe try applying it to their own ward.
People of Pembroke Park and St Thomas Ward I urge you to write a letter, email or even put in a phone call in to Cllr Steve Pitt as he clearly states that he has only ever heard from us and our campaign. This is not true. However, it is a clear invite for people who have signed the petition of which there are 1500 not 900 to express your concerns, views and desires as to what should happen with the building.
Mr Steve Pitt can be reached on:
Cllr.steve.pitt@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Currently, Mr Pitt is under the impression that everybody in the area is happy to see more housing going up on that particular site and he also believes in the conditions survey report which tries to imply that the building will cost too much to put right. The condition reports DO NOT STATE that the building is unsafe and certainly do not mention that people should not be allowed into the building as it is about to fall in on itself like Mr Pitt tried to imply.
Nor was it built badly.
Nor was it built over a moat which is a complete exaggeration.
Nor is it on the verge of falling down.
Nor is it well beyond economic repair.
The one thing the PCC condition report surely did mention was the £785,000 to rewire the building. This quote is ludicrous and alone shows us how floored the survey is and why a GOOD independent third-party survey from the people needs to be done.
Cllr Steve Pitt, we also take your challenge to come up with a viable scheme to save this building. It has to be one that does not involve you or the Council as this is the only way this building will be saved.