In the Nottingham Post on Saturday was a story which I couldn’t pass on. It is the story of an everyday Police Officer (well a PCSO) who parked their van to respond to an ‘enquiry’ but then went shopping.
This was all fine except that the Police van was left on double yellow lines…
I quote the Police’s response from the Post,
“A police vehicle, being used by the local Safer Neighbourhood Team, was legitimately parked on double yellow lines while two Police Community Support Officers made inquiries in relation to a missing person. The vehicle was not causing any obstruction, however, after completing their inquiries the officers briefly attended a nearby shop to purchase some items before returning to the van. This was a momentary lapse of judgement for which the officers have received advice.”
It seems to me that there are two alternatives here.
Firstly the Officers are fined just like you and I would be. Its £70 – reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
Alternatively, we are all permitted a little indiscretion from time to time – making sure we don’t cause an obstruction, having a momentary lapse of judgement (something I am sure won’t be lost on our traffic wardens) and then we accept ‘advice’ (like a slap on the legs).
I favour the first option as I think the probability of us getting away with the second one are slim…
Great and Greater Nottingham
It’s not quite dumb and dumber, but it’s not far off. I mean the definition of Nottingham. If you live in West Bridgford (2 miles south of the City) you’re not in Nottingham – you’re in Rushcliffe. And likewise Arnold and Carlton to the north and north east of the city – you’ll be in Gedling. To the west Beeston isn’t Nottingham, but rather part of Broxtowe. Newark & SHerwood, Bassetlaw and Mansfield get close to us too.
It’s all a little silly.
A few years ago the Leader of the County Council (another difficult place to define) Kay Cutts banned the use of ‘Greater Nottingham” in her Authority. It was to be a ‘core city area’. More twaddle.
During the Mayoral campaign a few months ago what became obvious was that a Nottingham Mayor was going to be a difficult position. Nottingham as an Authority is significant but doesn’t really represent the entire City. People in West Bridgford, Arnold and Beeston consider themselves to be part of the City. And rightly so. But they are not.
Perhaps it is time for us to reconsider the boundaries again – so that the red line around the place we call Nottingham is truly representative? This would allow a greater focus on what the City’s message is. More importantly it would engage all of the people who believe it to be home. We wouldn’t need lots of Authorities to manage one place?
And running it all? Obvious really – A Mayor!
One voice, one message, one City …