Can't reply to survey (From Penarth Times)

Can't reply to survey

11:33am Thursday 14th February 2013 in Letters

AS A resident of St Augustine's Ward, I have been asked by the Vale of Glamorgan Council to respond to a survey intended "to give local people the chance to have their say" about the future of St Paul's Church.

I cannot allow an interpretation of my views to be based on this survey for the following reasons: 1. It is a belated and cosmetic attempt to obtain the preference of 'local' residents.

2. The term 'local residents' is limited to those in St Augustine's Ward, yet the clubs attract a far wider membership both from Penarth itself and from further afield.

3. Participants in the survey are given the following statements, one of which must be ticked: A mixed-use community facility; or a permanent home for two sports clubs.

In what they refer to as 'the form' the Vale Council state they "have no preferred choice". The second statement could be misleading.

Ting the Gymnastic Club as an example, the term sports club does at injustice when one takes into account it provides a wide range of activities for an equally wide age range of young people, many of whom have special needs.

The club also involves mums and dads in work. The possibility of using the church both for the two clubs and other activities has been pointed out in numerous previous letters on the subject but this alternative has been ignored in the survey.

The future of St Paul's Church has been the subject of many letters in these columns, particularly Nick Chandler whose expert views appear to have little influence with the Vale Council. His letter on January 31 issue of the Penarth Times expresses his frustration of all those anxious to preserve the good work undertaken by the two clubs over the decades.

An interested observer of local authority politics Name and address supplied