Open letter to my Councillors re daft £1,080 bench

'Penarth Bench' outside Barclays Bank
now removed 

Why is the 'Penarth bench' not on the agenda for the next meeting of PENARTH TOWN COUNCIL on TUESDAY, 28 th FEBRUARY 2017 at 7.00 p.m?

Where is the report on the consultation?

Who made the decision to allow the secretive unelected group ‘Future Projects Partnership’, who failed to create a suitable bench at a £1,080, to be funded to create yet another version without this being discussed at thPenarth Town council e Town council meeting. Not only is it useless for elderly or disabled people, it isn’t even appropriate for a conservation area. Will you discuss why can't we have traditional benches that are more appropriate and cheaper for Penarth? 

Designed by unelected Chris Loyn who specialises in brutalist style architecture who has scant regard for the preservation of our conservation areas in Penarth and failed to get his recent concrete creations past planning.

The town council has to be open and transparent by law but is breaking that requirement by allowing this sub group to make decisions and spend tax payers money  although they are unaccountable. They should advertise their meetings, publish agendas and minutes. If this group members want to be involved let them stand for election. 

  

I look forward to your answers and explanation.

 Lis Burnett lburnett@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Mike Cuddy mikecuddypenarth@gmail.com

Philip Rapier Philip.rapier@hotmail.co.uk

Rosemary Cook Rosem.cook@o2.co.uk

Gwyn Roberts groberts@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Penarth Council want feedback on £1,080 bench

Penarth Council want feedback on 'Penarth Bench' You can do that here 

£1,080 Bench by Barclays bank 

Its a great idea to have more benches in Penarth especially on the hills! However I am concerned that this new 'Penarth bench' does not  conform to standards for disabled and elderly people. The bench is too low at 16 inches to allow people to sit and rise with ease. The 'arm rest' is too high and wide to enable one to use it to enable sitting and standing. A back is an necessity. A small back section on either side is insufficient as a mistake while sitting down could lead to a life threatening fall.  Concrete is cold and unpleasant to lean on. The 'decoration' is barely visible unless photographed and enlarged. It is not fitting in any conservation area. You might have consulted the 50+ forum on the design or any group of older people first. 

 The Town council wants to buy and install more of these “Penarth Benches “ in other locations around the town centre  even though it’s £300 more expensive than the Vale Council new Penarth Esplanade benches  

Please say no to more of these unsuitable benches. 

see http://www.idgo.ac.uk/design_guidance/factsheets/seating.htm