| Leaflets in the Town park |
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| Written by John Franklyn | |||||||||||||
| Tuesday, 26 August 2008 | |||||||||||||
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Our roving reporter A.J.Cobbler has been in discussion with Telford and Wrekin Council about the issue of CRB Checks for persons wishing to use the Town Park.
The reply received from Sports and recreation is below, but as you will see, the Council have successfully avoided relevant issues, but have succeeded in digging one mighty hole for themselves.
The reply is as follows,
Dated 21st August 2008
Dear Mr.Evans,
I am writing in response to your communication with the chief Executives Office. This is about your comments on the recent articles within the Shropshire Star covering the distribution of leaflets within the Telford Town Park.
The council has a duty of care to ensure it offers a safe, secure, happy and exciting environment in such places as the very popular Town Park. The Council has developed and adopted a comprehensive Child Protection Policy and Procedures that were drawn up in accordance with the guidance “Working Together to Safeguarding Children” 1999, Child Protection Procedures of the Local Area Child Protection Committee and with support of the NSPCC.
From our previous correspondence with you, you will be aware that our town park Staff approach adults that are not associated with any children in the Town Park and request the reason for them being there. In particular, this applies to those areas where children or more vulnerable groups gather, such as play facilities and the entrances to play areas. This is a child safety precautionary measure which members of our staff will continue to undertake as and when necessary.
In the case of distributing leaflets in the Town Park, we ask that individuals or organisations wishing to do so request permission by completing an application form and supplying us with necessary supplementary documentation. This information will give us, as Land owners, the reassurance that the activities requested by outside groups will not compromise our duty of care to young people and the more vulnerable.
In the article reported in the Shropshire Star relating to the individuals wishing to distribute leaflets our Town Park, the Town Park Manager explained our procedures and offered them the necessary forms. This is consistent with our usual practice and I am satisfied the officer was correct in her actions.
I make no apologies for putting the safety of our children and young people first. Unfortunately there are people at large in our society who are unable to be trusted in this context and we have had unfortunate incidents in the Town Park which we have had to deal with very sensitively. If this means that we have then to take precautions which some people feel are “over the top”, then so be it. We would prefer in these instances to be as safe as possible beforehand, rather than sorry afterwards.
I hope you are with my response, however if you would like to discuss this further, then either contact Town park Manager, on 01952 382340, or myself on 01952 382328
Yours Sincerely
Sport & Recreation Manager
This in itself opens a can of worms for Telford & Wrekin Council as they have clearly missed out the issue of CRB Checks and Risk Assessments.
Whilst Telford & Wrekin Council now want every resident to have a CRB Check or Risk Assessment to use the Town Park, it has been brought to my attention that there are people who work within the confines of the Town park on a very regular basis, come into contact with people of all ages, who are not CRB checked.
Another issue is with regards the access to these policies that are referred to but hard to find if in fact they exist. These policies are certainly not on the Council web site, but could be hidden in some obscure place within Spout Farm.
“Park staff will approach any adults that are not associated with any children in the Town Park” – Having been in the Town Park on many occasions over many years and often by myself over many years, never have I been approached or witnessed any approach to any lone adult, just because they were alone.
Individuals or wanting to hand out leaflets have to get permission and complete an application form. How is this communicated to the public, but it is acceptable to do any filming covertly or other wise and make it available on the internet.
What would happen if a person has their children with them, is not handing out leaflets but has a sign around their neck or on a pole, can they walk around with that?
The Council have opened a can of worms and this is an attempted to stifle freedom of speech, especially as the Council are quoted as having said,
“Organisations and individuals should always plan ahead and get permission from the council before doing anything in the town park to avoid any problems or misunderstandings.”
I would now ask that every individual wishing to use the Town Park comply with the above requirement. So if you want to take your children, go for a pick nick, a jog, a walk, phone the above two telephone numbers and get permission.
After all they are “THE LAND OWNERS”.
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