Last week I came across a website devoted to having the Lake District designated a World Heritage Site.
“Thirty-five organisations across Cumbria led by the County Council are keen for the Lake District to sit alongside the Taj Mahal, Egyptian pyramids, the Grand Canyon, Hadrian’s Wall and Stonehenge as a United Nations’ World Heritage Site. ..... There are no cash prizes for recognition, but being ranked alongside an international A-list of leading sites would have a positive economic and social impact on Cumbria.” www.lakeswhs.co.ukThen I remembered something arriving in my Inbox about it around a year ago so I dug it out. It was a CCC report dated November 2006:
Cumbria County Council is exploring the possibility of applying to UNESCO for World Heritage Site status for the Lake District.
A few useful quotes from the report:
“A project management group was established with two technical advisory groups reporting to it. The two technical advisory groups (TAG1 and TAG2), each comprising representatives from a wide range of stakeholders, were charged...”. Guilty, M’Lud!
“The (TAG 1) Working Group has recommended that the boundary is the same as the National Park boundary” A whole new committee to decide, after months of consultation and deliberation, what was bleedin’ obvious to everybody else. Well done, Lads!
SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS:
“TAG 2, looked at the socio-economic impacts and opportunities and commissioned ERS Consultants to undertake an examination of the social and economic impacts of WHS inscription and to closely tie the findings in with the development of the Lake District National Park Authority's new management plan and visioning exercise.” I've read that six times and I still don't know what it says.
“There are no direct and inevitable benefits that accrue from WHS inscription.” No benefits, huh? Well I never.
“WHS Inscription would not result directly in more financial support for farmers.” And no money!
“It was unlikely WHS Inscription would create significant socio-economic benefits through branding of local products.” Still no benefits or money!
“There were felt to be some direct social and community benefits to be gained. Inscription has led to increased civic pride elsewhere and community involvement in events about sites.” Something at last... a bit of ‘civic pride’.
How have we managed for so long without it?
“There were felt to be potential benefits for education. Universities elsewhere have positioned themselves to cater for ‘heritage skills and education' demand. The University for Cumbria is interested in this and is willing to explore the potential.” Oh, great! a degree course in ‘Heritage Skills’
That'll make a change from ‘Media Studies.’
“There was no evidence that WHS status would automatically result in more funding and investment for a UK site.” You can bet your sweet fandango it won’t!
“In isolation, WHS Inscription was unlikely to be used to create a sustainable transport system.” Not even a bus?
Now, in case you’ve forgotten, let me repeat that little bit from the website:
“...being ranked alongside an international A-list of leading sites would have a positive economic and social impact on Cumbria."Oh yeah? That’s not what you said last year!
They're spending a fortune of council tax payers money on committees, sub-committees, advisory groups, consultants and enough paper to flatten an Amazonian rain forest to gain some civic pride and a new degree course at the local poly in how to explain to visitors that the Lake District is rather a nice place to visit.
This is how your county council is spending your money.
Don’t it make you proud!
