When SWT applies to a national funding body for grants to carry out some work on Blacka an issue arises as to whether this money is being put towards a project that carries the support of the local people who use the site.
Usually the funds are public money in one form or another. Even money coming from private companies through grants via the Landfill Scheme can be seen as public money - it's there to compensate through a government scheme for environmental damage caused by companies that profit by burying harmful waste.
There is usually some stipulation or assumption that what is being done is supported by local people. In the case of SWT on Blacka it's clear that this has not been the case for some time. A petition in 2005 showed considerable support for a different approach to SWT's as did the Icarus Process. And SWT was so determined to override the views of local people that it banned local people from attending its meetings. Do those who administer these grants schemes 'in the public interest' know about these things? Or do SWT wave airily when questioned and refer to a small totally unrepresentative group with a chip on their shoulders? Or do they just keep mum?
No comments:
Post a Comment