1) Given that the new Natural England body only becomes effective from 1 October 2006, why the precipitate rush to form a trust? Natural England has yet to make clear its level of support for either trusts or council-owned natural land.
2) Councillor Hawkesworth needs to spell out precisely what extra funding would become available if a Trust was formed. Would this funding only become available if the Trust had significant private sector involvement?
3) Under the suggested terms of any trust:
How would the trustees be selected? Would Trustees be elected by Ilkley rate-payers?
Would the rate-payers of Ilkley have any say in the Trust’s composition?
Would the Trust be intended to have control over access and use of the moor–ie. could it potentially allow the re-introduction of shooting?
Would the Trust have control over the properties on the Moor–Silver Well, White Wells, etc?
4) Given that the recent proposals for hiving off the public buildings of Ilkley to a private body collapsed under accusations of corruption, should public concern over similar privatization of the moor not be taken more seriously, rather than being treated with disdain by COuncillor Hawkesworth?
Let us not forget that Ilkley Moor was bought for the people of Ilkley by the Local Board in June 1893. Since that time we have collectively owned it. This land is our land, and it should not lightly be handed over to a group of unelected individuals over whom we have no control.
(and from where does the ‘this land is our land quote come? Probably the first use of a diggers slogan with regard to Ilkers)
