Rayrigg Meadow
As The Hub goes to print, the Town Council is preparing for a public meeting at the Marchesi Centre (Wednesday 27th February) to discuss whether the council should take on the management of the area. You may recall that a few months ago I asked you to let The Hub know how you feel about this. The response was 100% in favour of the council taking on the management. However, since we received only three letters in reply, we cannot treat this as representative of the wishes of the town as a whole. If you missed the public meeting, there is still time to let us know your opinion.
The issue arose because the land was being considered for sale by SLDC. The land was purchased by public subscription and given to Windermere Urban District Council in 1937, to be maintained for the benefit of the residents and visitors in Windermere. Following local government reorganisation in the early nineteen seventies the land was transferred to SLDC. When the District Council made plans to sell it, a number of local residents formed a group known as Windermere Folk to fight the sale. As a result of their endeavours, the Charity Commission became involved and the land is now held in a charitable trust and can never be sold, except with the permission of the Charities Commission, who are committed to uphold the original intention that the land is to be held for the benefit of locals and visitors. SLDC are the Trustees and are responsible for any health and safety and maintenance issues which may arise. If the Town Council takes on this responsibility we will become liable for any costs which would have to be met from our charges included in the Council Tax charge. This is why it is important that the council canvasses local opinion. We exist to serve the interests of our community as a whole.
Viv Bell, Mayor of Windermere