The Council Leader has published a letter blasting the organisers of the Christmas “grotto” which was erected on Exhibition Square for 6 weeks over the Christmas period. He points to dissatisfied staff (fairies and elves) and children disappointed by the content of the event.

Just why this exercise in mock outrage should reach the media in easy to see. It is a pre-emptive strike to draw attention away from the responsibilities of the Labour Cabinet members who authorised the event.
Events like these attract rental payments to the Council of around £1000 a week.

The responsibility for ensuring that only competent companies are able to rent prominent sites ultimately rests with the responsible “Cabinet” member. In this case that was Cllr Crisp. It appears that the deal that was struck was for a proportion of the ticket sale revenue to go to the Council.

The vent had all the hallmarks of something that had been put together at the last minute. It appears that the original intention had been to site the tent at Bustardthorpe. Not surprisingly the organisers realised that very few people were likely to be walking past that site so they opted for a City centre venue. (Later the Bustardthorpe site was to be the scene of an – abortive – attempt at organising a New Years Eve party).

How much income the Council has received has yet to be admitted.

All in all, quite a lot more needs to be explained by the Council about their involvement in this event.

A “Save the Guildhall” petition is now available and can be “signed” by accessing the Councils web site.

http://www.york.gov.uk/ e-Petitions Save the Guildhall

If you have not assented to an electronic petition on the site before there is a short registration process to go through.

The campaign to keep the Guildhall as the City’s civic and cultural centrepiece is attracting cross party support and has the backing of Guild members as well conservation and other groups. The Cabinets plans to abandon the building have already been “called in” for further consideration by 3 Councillors.

The petition and supporting paper reads:

We the undersigned petition the council to ensure that The Guildhall and Mansion House continue to be at the heart of civic and cultural activities in the City, that no attempt be made to downgrade the role, function or public accessibility of the buildings and that any proposals to change the ownership or lease arrangements on any part of the site be subject to full public consultation.

The Guildhall has been at the heart of local civic affairs in York since the 15th century. It is the former meeting place of the City’s Guilds. It was rebuilt following damage in the Second World War and it is now the home of the City of York Council, with Councillors and senior officers both occupying accommodation there. The Council convenes in the building on 6 occasions per year and each week a variety of committees meet to determine the Councils policies. The Mansion House and Guildhall together host a wide range of civic, cultural, fund raising and commercial activities each year.
Recently the Council’s Cabinet has announced its intention to move members and officers to new accommodation which is being built in Toft Green. They have indicated that in future only (6) Council meetings will be held in the Guildhall each year.
The Guildhall is a Listed building which means that it cannot be substantially changed in character or layout.
This petition seeks to ensure that the Guildhall and Mansion House remain in the ownership of the people of York, that they are sustained with the respect that historically important buildings of this sort deserve and that they continue to be used as a civic resource for the benefit and enjoyment of York residents and visitors.
This ePetition runs from 13/01/2012 to 24/02/2012.