CCBC receives a lot of stick in here, much of it related to or because of the way in which they behave. The image the average person has of a CCBC councillor is not a pretty one, and their penchant for secrecy during meetings, combined with a total reluctance to engage with the voters ensures they're berated at every turn, whether it be for their apparent incompetence in failing to ensure any sort of business plan was prepared before they bid for and built Porth Eirias, the...interesting approach to the West Shore, their inaction with regard to Haulfre Gardens and Happy Valley or their own determination to ensure they claim every last penny in expenses and salaries.
The biggest problem, both for them and the voters, is fear: they're terrified of attempting to explain their thinking, terrified of facing the voters en masse and terrified, it would seem, of letting the people who pay their salaries and who elect them know what they're doing and - most importantly - why.
I've approached some of those I know personally to come onto the forum but they refuse in every case. Now, I can comprehend why they fear forums: our own PC Mike Smith found that although he could deal with the forum through moderating his own topic in here, and because we generally behave in a reasonable way during debates, the existence of Oscar meant those who disliked what he was saying meant the trolls could win.
But that issue no longer exists. We would be prepared to offer any member of CCBC their own topic, their own powers of moderation, and total anonymity. Obviously, we'd have to know who they were to prevent just anyone from trying it on, but they could use a screen name, so no one else would know and we'd guarantee their anonymity. That way at least they could start to explain what they're doing and why they're doing it. And perhaps explain the thinking behind some of the apparently odd decisions that seem to have been taken.
So to the CCBC councillors who are already members of this forum in secret, we invite you to take a chance and take up this offer.