As an attempt to get the topic back on track, is this still relevant or is it all change again since this was published?
http://www.marplebusinessforum.co.uk/latest-news/140-new-a-board-legislation.html
It's changed since then. SMBC have finished their consultation and released the final Obstructions Policy.
See: http://www.stockport.gov.uk/services/transport/highwayandstreetlightmaintenance/aboards
Two hopes of that working.
It really is typical council rubbish. They have invented a problem that doesn't exist, taken over two years justifying the employment of a load of employees at a huge amount of cost, re-drafting & re-drafting something that clearly will not work and in doing so, inconvenience and criminalizing a whole host of retailers who are struggling to keep afloat never mind earn a living who clearly do not need yet another demand by some clueless public-sector jobsworth types.
All that's needed is a set of guidelinnes for good practice, no licences, no need for 'consultancy periods' etc etc. The council could have made that department redundant, saving us all a few 100 grand in tax and the amount saved could be in the pockets of tax-payers who will spend that spare cash in shops, the additional demand will mean the retailers can take on more staff which means those council pencil pushers / strikers / 'no to cuts' protesters can get a job doing something meaningful.
Simon, you are Simone? Wow, that's brave in a little town like Marple. I've read a bit about it and you should think long and hard about the change, live as Simone before removing Simon fi you know what I mean.
