West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Have you nothing better to do than spend your time wielding a large wooden spoon?

 

As far as the headmaster is concerned, a post a few days ago on NP, said that they had tried many times to get their viewpoint over to the PLC, each time unsuccessfully. Well notoriety, or not, this is being discussed on at least three fora - and I guess F/Book and similar.
I am pretty sure Mr. J.J.P new exactly what he was taking on.
Whilst the guesses are regarding safety, administration and staff training one over-riding thing must be that finances - or lack of them - must be another factor.

 

The ORR is the Headmaster!

The Question should be asked why did it take an Inspection by the ORR briefed by Individuals Unknown to bring these issues to a head?

and who Is Responsible when any Organization fails, and where does the Buck Stop in any normal business activity?

In Conclusion, and I do not intend to discuss this matter further, What is the Board of Directors of the plc going to do about it?​

 

Interesting point

 

Is @Yorkshireman making Christmas Cake or Christmas Puddings??

 

Fine - but don't you think it time to cut them some slack and back off a bit, and just let them get on with the job, hopefully remembering that there is a very large volunteer element in this. We are not talking about Directors on six figure annual salaries here.

No wonder Heritage Railways in general have problems attracting new Directors of the right calibre!

 

Where have I said I would be making a FOI reequest? AIUI others have already made one.

 

Out of interest I did have a look at the link you posted. I did wonder if it was meant to encourage or discourage potential volunteers from applying. Maybe there are "open days" held, like many other railways, where those with perhaps a growing interest may be encouraged

 

Maybe @Robin Moira White can enlighten us.

As I understand it, the folk who joined her working party to clear the cattle dock at Stogumber Station a few weeks ago
were well-meaning people who pretty well 'just turned up'.

Stef.

 

That is true, but the work largely consisted of heavy-ish gardening requiring no special training and Station Master Bob Preston was firmly in charge of H&S aspects of the work.

Some thought is being given to how volunteers are encouraged forward and managed ‘onto’ The Railway. My personal view is that the WSRA might have a useful role in this area and the Community engagement work for which the recent HPC grant was given is likely to be relevant as well.

Robin

 

I dont want an FOI request, wield that spoon in the pudding mix!

 

Yes there are "open days".

Steve

 

I suggest that the confidentiality is needless, and probably counter productive, but something that the plc are entitled to, and where I strongly suspect statutory exemptions will exist were someone to try to use FOI.

There is a strong rumour mill in preservation, and secrets have a habit of emerging despite attempts to keep them, often in distorted form. Better the disinfectant of sunlight.

Meanwhile, the work will be done, hopefully well enough for a clear pass when ORR return in March. At that point, confidentiality will either be irrelevant, or failure will see the story get greater legs.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

I'm not sure it proves anything either way, especially if record keeping is (one of the) main issues. I seem to recall that during the various WCR shenanigans they got an improvement notice but continued to operate, as distinct from the period of time they *were* banned on the spot.

The rest of your post I've omitted I agree with very much.

 

You are correct. Section 28 of the HSW Act trumps FOI. In the absence of a statutory notice, the information that ORR can issue is very limited ("We visited. We gave advice").

 

Also remeber that I was not the source of story on NP. I have simply commented on it. Once something is in the public domain it is futile to think you can limit reaction other than being candid. The WSR management need to learn that their bunker mentality simply makes people more suspicious. Candour will imprve support.

 

Two resignation from The PLC Board this week:
Rodney Greenway and Ian Colbey.


https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/news/detail/rodney-greenway-resigns-from-plc-board


https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/news/detail/ian-coleby-resigns-as-director

Sorry if any of this is a repost.

 

!!!

 

1472, Quite.....

I'm sure there are people who are now working extremely hard in Somerset and they need support. Reading some of the comments from 'supporters??' on here must be demoralising at best.

I see there have now been two board resignations this week, I assume some of those who have blown the whilstle or are being so critical are ready to step up and help get things back on track................?