News

Outsiders banned from Woodley meetings

By Jon Nurse
February 12, 2013

A town centre team voted emphatically against involving people from outside Woodley in its meetings.

A motion proposing Woodley Town Centre Management Initiative be open to all ‘local’ residents and traders, rather than just those from Woodley, was crushed by seven votes to one last Wednesday.

Objectors warned the change could open the floodgates for countless people to come to the meeting with an agenda.

Members agreed the initiative’s executive should review its constitution and consider a protocol for visitors to attend meetings.

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Most recent user comments 10 of 10

I think "outsiders" should also boycott the business' in Woodley town center, what a terribly narrow minded descision.

Dave35
25/02/2013 at 13:39

And the Europeans call us 'Little Englanders'. What would they make of this lot. You keep your secret society realm in the midst of utopia, I'll use the shops in Wokingham road.

parlovero, Earley
16/02/2013 at 08:41

Bingly - all money raised from the markets and events are retained by the TCMI. This income is now the majority of income for the TCMI and is used for things like the Xmas lights, publicity etc.

Cllr Keith Baker
13/02/2013 at 12:44

The main point in my original post said "I personally didn't see the problem with opening the "public forum" to people from outside Woodley" - and I still do not.

Why would an organisation that is funded by tax council tax payers in Earley through their council tax, that is used by residents of Earley, want to avoid listening to what the residents of Earley have to say about the town. If you listen to people you may find that you learn something.

Bingley - I stand to be corrected by the ubiquitous Cllr Baker, but I think the money from the markets goes to the TCMI to plough back into maintaining the vitality of the town centre - a job I think they have done well over the last few years.

Phil Challis, woodley
13/02/2013 at 12:05

Still waiting for someone to say what happens to the income from having markets etc in the town centre. Since it's public highway can the public know.

Bingley, Woodley
13/02/2013 at 08:28

I note Cllr Phil Challis's comments but it is based on ignorance. Unfortunately I do not think Phil has attended a single meeting of the TCMI

It is also clear that he totally does not understand gow the TCMI works. There is no decision making in the Management Committee with all decisions being made at the main steering group. Maybe he should read the constitution that he favours changing - that always helps.

Cllr Keith Baker
12/02/2013 at 19:41

How do they know if you're an Auslander? Is there a secret handshake? A secret password that must be uttered to gain entry e.g. "We're so much better than Earley"?

Beef Cake Argh!
12/02/2013 at 15:07

Are they local developers?

Kaz4Wokingham, Wokingham
12/02/2013 at 15:02

Goodness help anyone who suggests filming this bunch.

Beef Cake Argh!
12/02/2013 at 14:42

The TCMI has been doing great things and I personally didn't see the problem with opening the "public forum" to people from outside Woodley.

Woodley town centre is much used by people from outside of Woodley and I thought it could have been interesting for traders and the TCMI to hear a wider point of view.

The TCMI is funded by the town council and the borough council, so why shouldn't the TCMI be prepared to listen to the council tax payers of Wokingham, who pay towards their activities.

Decision making was intended to remain with the Woodley resident/trader based "Management Committee" so why would traders want to avoid listening to those who are interested enough in the future of the town to attend their meetings - very short sighted.