Full of jargon, and saying very little...
THREE information sheets from North Tyneside Council have appeared on my desk. They have this in common that they are full of jargon and say very little.
A leaflet called "Extended Services" says "most schools in our area already offer a great range of extended services" but by September 2010 "a full range" will be provided by "community facilities, churches, youth provision, children's centres and schools". There are no clear details to define what is proposed, just lists of examples with cautious phrases "activities such as" or "activities may be". "What do we think?" we are asked. Perhaps no more than "What is extended services?" as a title for a leaflet about schools is bad grammar.
A very glossy sheet "Building Schools for the Future" has an opening sentence of 56 words promising everything to everyone. It is about "Sample" and "Non Sample"? projects identified for "BSF Wave 6a scheme", whatever that is, and "over the coming months and years will involve engagement with a wide range of partners". An event will "outline the demography and vision for transformation". Come on.
The council has got some money from government to rebuild school x and refurbish schools y and z. This work started in January 2009 and is expected to be complete by 2014.
Then we have the "North Tyneside Council Local Development Framework Statement of Community Involvement – Consultation Draft, February 2010."
As if we might be interested we are told this "forms part of the Council's Local Development Framework" and is "required by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004". The letter says this is how the "council intends to involve the whole community" but unless council officers learn to write in plain English, there is not much chance of that.
PETER J STONER
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Weather for Whitley Bay
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
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