Last updated 11:23, Saturday, 05 April 2008

LOCAL councillors are often criticised for not listening and being out of touch with the electorate.

But we’re pleased to note that Councillor Barbara Cannon, of Workington, is applying her finger to the pulse of the area.

She has not only joined the Times & Star online forums but is already engaged in a healthy debate there about car parking policy in Workington.

Mrs Cannon says she will use views expressed on the website as evidence for the council’s inquiry into car parking.

This is a good example of democracy in action, and we certainly urge other councillors to use the forums to gauge the public mood.

One of the major benefits of the internet - and one which the Times & Star totally embraces - is that it enables an open dialogue to take place.

People who have never attended a council meeting, or ever written a letter to a newspaper, get a chance to air their views and get an instant response.

Mrs Cannon is rightly worried about car parking policy in Workington, and many people share her concern at the restrictive nature of the contract between Allerdale council and the multi-storey car park’s owners Parksafe.

Car parking gets chatted about in the pubs and clubs, in shops and behind the net curtains.

How refreshing then to see a councillor prepared to engage directly on a matter of wide public interest.

BIG BOOTS

NETHERHALL football club at Maryport is angry at less than complimentary comments made about it by Carlisle United’s youth team coach following a cup game.

The message to United must be: your first team might be doing okay, but don’t get too big for your boots.