Post by Administrator on Sept 29, 2017 19:10:08 GMT
Mercantile Marine and Fishing Fleets 1914-1918: a National Service of Commemoration CANCELLED
Via; MNA - The Pulse.
I hope those of you who have pre-booked travel and accommodation, as I have done, are able to claim refunds. That is my next job. Gentlemen,
With great regret, yesterday afternoon I cancelled the Mercantile Marine and Fishing Fleets commemoration service on 17th October. The decision was supported by the event’s organising group.
In short, the City Corporation refused to allow the road closures requested for security and emergency vehicle access reasons. This, because the request was not submitted in time to meet the Corporation’s 12-week notice period. That the timing of the submission was determined by the Palace and the Met was deemed of no consequence. Trinity Square, the road in question, is divided down the middle between the City and Tower Hamlets. The latter’s Council approved the closure but its own attempt this week to get agreement from the Corporation failed. The Palace’s decision on the date of the event and attendance came on 25th July, 12 weeks and 2 days before 17th October. The City Corporation however requires 12 weeks’ notice for road closure requests, detailed plans for which have to be submitted once approved by the police. The Met’s Security Co-ordinator, individually assigned for each Royal occasion, had to be appointed and return from leave before that approval could be obtained. He and I duly met at 0715 on Thursday 31st August, the day after he returned. The road closure plans were approved by him on Monday 3rd September, my submitting them to the City Corporation, Tower Hamlets Council and TfL on 4th. The Corporation and TfL rejected them for failing to provide 12-weeks’ notice. A 5th September email from TH Council informed me that the application was ‘under review’. Although the closures were declared as being requested for reasons of security and emergency access, the City Corporation is particular is adamant that these concerns should be ignored in favour of its administrative requirements.
While the Palace has expressed interest in next year, before any such consideration I first have to send cancellation e-mails to those involved and those wishing to attend including to the PM, various Cabinet members and the First Ministers. Similarly, I now have to write letters of apology to HM The Queen - instrumental in bringing about the event - and HRH The Princess Royal, as well as a rather different one to the Lord Mayor, copied to his CE. The media’s potential view of its decision clearly has not been considered by the City Corporation.
Together with thanking you greatly for all your help with the event, may I ask that you pass on my apologies to all those members who hoped they might attend it too?
Finally, in hoping it is not thought that this decision was taken lightly, after two years’ work all I have to show for it now is a ‘phone bill!
Anon, Roger
Via; MNA - The Pulse.
I hope those of you who have pre-booked travel and accommodation, as I have done, are able to claim refunds. That is my next job. Gentlemen,
With great regret, yesterday afternoon I cancelled the Mercantile Marine and Fishing Fleets commemoration service on 17th October. The decision was supported by the event’s organising group.
In short, the City Corporation refused to allow the road closures requested for security and emergency vehicle access reasons. This, because the request was not submitted in time to meet the Corporation’s 12-week notice period. That the timing of the submission was determined by the Palace and the Met was deemed of no consequence. Trinity Square, the road in question, is divided down the middle between the City and Tower Hamlets. The latter’s Council approved the closure but its own attempt this week to get agreement from the Corporation failed. The Palace’s decision on the date of the event and attendance came on 25th July, 12 weeks and 2 days before 17th October. The City Corporation however requires 12 weeks’ notice for road closure requests, detailed plans for which have to be submitted once approved by the police. The Met’s Security Co-ordinator, individually assigned for each Royal occasion, had to be appointed and return from leave before that approval could be obtained. He and I duly met at 0715 on Thursday 31st August, the day after he returned. The road closure plans were approved by him on Monday 3rd September, my submitting them to the City Corporation, Tower Hamlets Council and TfL on 4th. The Corporation and TfL rejected them for failing to provide 12-weeks’ notice. A 5th September email from TH Council informed me that the application was ‘under review’. Although the closures were declared as being requested for reasons of security and emergency access, the City Corporation is particular is adamant that these concerns should be ignored in favour of its administrative requirements.
While the Palace has expressed interest in next year, before any such consideration I first have to send cancellation e-mails to those involved and those wishing to attend including to the PM, various Cabinet members and the First Ministers. Similarly, I now have to write letters of apology to HM The Queen - instrumental in bringing about the event - and HRH The Princess Royal, as well as a rather different one to the Lord Mayor, copied to his CE. The media’s potential view of its decision clearly has not been considered by the City Corporation.
Together with thanking you greatly for all your help with the event, may I ask that you pass on my apologies to all those members who hoped they might attend it too?
Finally, in hoping it is not thought that this decision was taken lightly, after two years’ work all I have to show for it now is a ‘phone bill!
Anon, Roger