Working party update

Hello, I just thought I'd update you all on the progress (or lack of) being made in the working party meetings. There have been two meetings so far and I made it to the first one as I was working a long day during the other one. I am disappointed, but not surprised, that the majority of residents are focusing simply on their own goals and needs. I have been trying to encourage them to preserve the two hours slots in favour of the pay and display. Whilst some of them are bearing them in mind, many of the roads seem happy with the pay and display option despite there apparently being no business plan by the Council regarding the potential revenue to be gained. I was even more disappointed and angry to learn that some of the residents wrote to the Council asking that they disregard this petition. Since when did the voices of a few outweigh the voices of 8,400? I must admit I am feeling disillusioned at the way things are going. Part of the problem is that the residents are the only ones who seem to matter as they are living in the wards represented by the councillors. Despite me presenting an anonymous list of the people who signed the petition within the RG1 area. I am fighting a losing battle. I have had a meeting with the interim Estates Director at the RBH which was sort of positive but unfortunately I can't reveal too much on that front beyond that he and the RBH are limited by funds and politics. The Council have denied planning permission to the hospital for increased parking facilities. The Council are pushing for a park and ride scheme which could work if we make sure there is incentive for people to use it. I've written a letter for the consideration of the board regarding the prospects for students as they are in limbo land. They are not employed by the trust despite working the same hours as mentors and faced with having their bursaries cut so funds for them will be even more limited (i.e. they will not be able to afford to pay £12 a day for parking and nor will they be entitled to discounts). It appears that the 2 hour slots will barely survive this onslaught which I am deeply saddened by. I do not want other people to miss out on precious time with their loved ones because they do not want to pay through the nose to park. I do not want other people to be worrying about their appointment times running over and receiving a fine. I believe it is morally wrong to place this stress upon people visiting the hospital at an already stressful time. But it seems within the working party group, I am one of the few who can see the bigger picture or can see beyond my own agenda. I am worried that come September when the residents get the schemes they want, many people who visit and work at the hospital are going to be left out in the cold. I am sorry that more cannot be done on my part. Please write to Reading Council (http://www.reading.gov.uk/complaints), make yourselves heard because some of the residents are doing all they can to make sure that this petition of 8,400 counts for nothing and I feel very strongly that this is wrong.