Sir,

Now, tell me caring reader, how many of you on reading that PCC had found a new site for their tip, clenched your fists, punched the air twice, with a loud "Yes, Yes!"

Did you feel good? Then savour that moment and know that it came about in no small way, by good old-fashioned, community-caring people-power?

You will recall earlier events when last year it was revealed that PCC, after working in conclave for some considerable time, called a public meeting, with just days to spare, to tell us all that they had decided to bring 'The tip next 'the nursing home'.

What happened next?

In an instant, the sleeping dragon roared, as with one voice the spontaneous outpouring of anger, of the perceived sheer inhumanity, offending human decency was made known by the sackloads of letters to the Observer and the realisation that if this is how the least able of us are to be treated, then what hope is there for us all?

There was a sustained barrage as an action group was formed who along with the public at large continued to voice their opposition to that Baldric-like cunning plan.

Information I was given at the time was that the body corporate of PCC was completely taken aback, shaken, wrong-footed by the sheer extent of public condemnation - and rightly so!

The remnants of the cabinet's flawed and ill-fated battle plan limped on to the meeting with National Parks, where it was withdrawn and bestowed with the Order of the Boot. Sanity, humanity and downright commonsense had prevailed.

Now, can we, do you think, learn anything from this sorry debacle?

We surely can and surely must, 'cos it seems our future well-being depends on it.

When back then National Parks had given PCC the old heave-ho, I asked five people "Tell me do you think they will now be burning the midnight oil to make up for lost time and find anther more fitting site?" To a man (and woman) they said something like "Nah, not a chance, they'll be beavering away in the background to get it through!"

Aye! and there's the rub!

Because if there was any concern over the course that the policy makers and shakers at PCC were taking us at that time, there now seems to be a sizeable disconnect between PCC on the one hand and the communities they once so diligently served on the other.

Can it be considered anything like a democracy when those who would be most affected by say, the siting of the tip, are excluded from any preliminary discussions?

Rather a sham, almost a shamocracy. Then again, if communities at large had been involved in the first place then, rest assured, commonsense would have prevailed and 'The tip next 'the nursing home' would never have seen the light of day! Saving time and I have no doubt money.

So why not let us join forces, move forward together and seek to win back, each for the other, that trust that is implicit in any relationship, but which we all know ultimately has to be earned.

Ken Fryer,