Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

I'd agree with that but, it being the case, why the need for secrecy ? Openness costs nothing and hurts nobody and avoids "the lurid conjecture and speculation that circulates". It should be unnecessary for members and supporters to have to contact Trustees or Directors (who must have better things to do with their time) for reassurance when a simple statement explaining the problem would have sufficed in the first place.
This is similar to the problem that has arisen with the WSR PLC where a failure to explain what is going on with the Board membership has given rise to much speculation and some very genuine concerns about the overall management, much of which could have been avoided by being up-front in the first place.
Boards in volunteer organisations should be aware that withholding information, unless there are genuine personal or legal reasons for doing so, is unwise and often counter-productive. If information is withheld, there will inevitably be speculation, some of which may be malignant if there are personality clashes involved, and the organisation as a whole will suffer. Be up-front and honest, even where mistakes have been made, and the Board will be respected and the organisation strengthened.
Mike

 

Let's just leave it there, shall we?

 

I think the renewed current statement is perfectly adequate,we don't need to know the fine detail of the safety concerns as they may be part of an on going investigation, no need to spook the locals if it turns out that all is ok. The previous 'terminal' quality of the previous statement to me conjured up a different story in my opinion. Usually when people have to vacate a property quickly with no mention of going back it can only be for one reason I.e. they no longer own the property.

 

I worked for BT a few years ago and there was a staircase in a Telephone exchange that was put out of bounds "Due to safety reasons" it turned out nothing to do with safety reasons, safety reasons it seems no one challenges.

 

I worked for BT a few years ago and there was a staircase in a Telephone exchange that was put out of bounds "Due to safety reasons" it turned out nothing to do with safety reasons, safety reasons it seems no one challenges.

 

I think safety reasons is not going to morph into 'we thought we owned the station' but it turns out we don't!
I've seen that statement "due to unforeseen circumstances this shop is now closed" used as a euphemism for we've gone bust and creates a 'fog' implying that it's not the owners fault!

 

Yes, elfansafety is the new religion in Britain, and yopu question the high priests at your peril.

 

'Safety is our number one priority' - how many times have you heard that platitude? As if companies are there just to trade for that. Sure, I'd like my company to be safe, but I'd also like a return on my investment.

 

I don't know about religions or platitudes, but I do know what Rule 1 in my railways rulebook is.

 

Secret squirrels?

 

If the reason was revealed there is always a possibility that people would then question if it was necessary!

 

Health and safety are not dirty words....

 

It's older than you think. Has its origins in Latin! Rectum Protectum….

 

Indeed. But so often they are misinterpreted by the over zealous.

 

No, they are not; nobody wants accidents. But when used as an excuse for inaction or convenience, they can easily become dirty words.

John

 

For crying out loud, can please put this subject to bed, as it is getting very overtired? Sooner or later we will all know what this storm in a teacup is all about, and then we can all think "was that all it was?"
Please.

 

Quite correct. Unfortunately the value of Health and Safety rules is being undermined by management/councils/committees and individuals using it as a sort of 'trump card' to stop something that they personally disagree with and can't think of any other logical or practical way of stopping.

 

Or just as a way of not saying '..we cant be bothered'

Now if we had 'Health & Efficiency' rules..............

 

I love all the likes however my post was meant to be darkly sarcastic Lol. Oh I have enjoyed this!