In my 17 years living on the Island, mainly in Newport, the most abominably hideous building until recently has always been the County Hall complex. Now of course it is surpassed by the Multiplex complex that unfortunately is in my ward. Talk about dumping on Pan by previous Councils ! I always feel sorry for residents of Ash Road who used to look over the town and to the west, but now look at an enormous 'Staples' sign. That's how Liberals treat you if you stop voting for them.......as Pan people did many 15 years ago.
So it was with immense pleasure that I discovered a Tory policy last October, through the pages of the CP, that I wholeheartedly support - the sale and development of the County Hall site. I have never understood why we need a Council building in the middle of our main town that houses so many functions that don't deal with the public face to face. So I have no problem with relocating County Hall outside of Newport, provided that there is still something like the Customer Service Centre within the town and that the public can attend Council meetings in somewhere like Newport Guildhall. Apart from anything else it will take traffic out of central Newport.
The Tory plans to achieve this site sale and relocation are moving apace, and I am a party to at least some of the plan. As a party to these plans I am anxious that staff and the Island public are kept well-informed about what is going on on a regular basis, and I am assured this will be done by others who are more central to the plans and whose word I accept. I am also enthusiatic about potential plans to see more flexible working arrangements than the traditional attend at your desk for 40 hours per week. Such working has the potential to vastly improve the working lives of many people - provided, of course, that they still have jobs after the efficiency savings work though.
What will replace County Hall is naturally of some import. The last thing we want is another architectural abomination - we need something that enhances Newport and makes it an attractive town to visit.
5 comments:
Quite so- get rid of the miserable pile. The only reason it;s so hideous is that those who allowed it to be built knew they'd never have to look at it as they'd be inside! I'm glad that someone is talking about this major scheme - the Tories are too busy crowing about their wonderful budget. Huh.
However, the talk in the corridors of the same building is all about how much smaller a workforce the council will soon have, and how other providers will soon be paying the cost of housing workers etc. I think you know what that's all about. So don't be fooled by anyone who says that this is about regenerating Newport!
Furthermore, my prediction, the first plans will have no end of worthy employment-creating schemes, like sustainable eco-friendly low-energy starter business units and office accomodation etc, and thus gain approval, but before long there will be introduced 'an element of enabling development' to ensure that 'the right private partner is attracted' and before you know it there will be another edifice of yuppie flats with private car parking over a load of dismal sportwear shops which will go out of business in a year as they are way out of the main retail area.
I do indeed know what that talk is about! And it is well formulated talk in my view.
I hope your prediction isn't correct, but history on the Island would suggest you will be....
I think it would be a shame to see the origional building destroyed (the "end" that houses the committee rooms, and has those imposing wooden doors), but I agree the 60's end is hideous and wouldn't be missed.
Any chance that we can save the origional seat of local government, Geoff?
"I have no problem with relocating County Hall outside of Newport, provided that there is still something like the Customer Service Centre within the town and that the public can attend Council meetings in somewhere like Newport Guildhall."
I realise that, as a Newport-based councillor, you must consider the interests of your ward's residents. That said, I do think it is in the interests of all Island residents that any replacement premises be easily assessable to the public at large - especially if they are moved outside of Newport.
Also, concerning Rachel's comment, would I be right in assuming the "60's end" consists of those horrendous bright-blue bits?
Rachel - there is a chance the facade of the old bit will be saved, but not the back of it - have you looked at it recently? it is gross. As for the original seat of local government - wouldn't that be the Guildhall - home of the 100 year old Newport Borough Council until it was abolished in 1974, when the Borough was under Labour control!
Dan - I totally agree about accessibility to frontline services. the 'blue bit' is the prime 60s abomination.
Post a Comment