Author: Sal
New Computer Service For Totland Residents
Wednesday, 10th February, 2010 at 12:24 pm, Isle of Wight
Accessibility, Charity, Community, News, Technology, Totland
Residents of Totland who do not have their own computers can now benefit from a free service being trialled by their local Parish Council.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Isle of Wight Rural Community Council (IWRCC) of £2,000, the Totland Parish Council have installed three computer workstations for residents to use at the Parish Office.
When and how?
Residents who do not have use of a computer or Internet access at home are invited to make use of the computers.
At the moment, afternoon sessions are available on a Monday and Thursday between 12-2pm.
The grant not only enabled the purchase of the computers, but also printers, software and even the tables and chairs.
Friendly open door policy at Totland
We’ve always been impressed with the open door policy at Totland Parish Council. New Town Clerk, Helen Gibbs is happy to answer questions from residents on Mondays-Thursdays between 9am to noon.
Check their Website for more details about Totland Parish Council or pop in to say hello.
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Great, two days a week for two hours. Public service at its best eh. Why did they bother?
She may be happy to answer questions from 9 – noon, four days a week, but don’t ask her if you can use a PC!
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Oh Shobba. What an uncalled for and nasty comment.
Four hours a week is better than nothing. All praise to Totland PC I say. After all doesn’t it say that it’s a trial, maybe the computers will be available for longer periods in the future.
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What about young people? Schoolchildren and college students? None of them have a chance to go online with these mean opening hours. Those working on low incomes are in the same boat. I’m sorry, it wasn’t a nasty comment. Whoever is patting themselves on the back for this should think about the whole population not just the retired who can choose when to use the facility.
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Shobba,
I have read your comment, however I do not agree with you. Young People, School Children, College Students all have access to computers most of the time they are studying, also they are very familier with the whole ICT setup indeed when they get home they probably have a computer of there own, or access to one they can use. Our intention is to try and help the elderly understand computers more, and keep in touch with todays world and indeed the youngsters.Speaking to a lot of residents of all ages it is quite clear that many older residents are frightened by the prospect of computers and our aim is to avoid that if we can. After all said we always welcome the younger residents indeed it is them that are teaching the elder residents and it brings the community closer.As it stated we have just begun this project and we are open to all comments as without these we would not get things right.So I can assure you we do cater for everyone and will extend our hours for all to benefit, we have to start somewhere, and at least we have started. Carol Bryan, Chairman Totland Parish Council.
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Sorry, I disagree. By doing what you are doing you perpetuate the belief that Parish Councils in places like Totland cater only for the old. The young are simply a nuisance, you can’t handle them nor do you wish to. Politicians, even at your level should be attempting to engage with the young who are very much part of our community – even in sleepy old Totland! Adults of working age on low incomes (of which there are hundreds in West Wight) cannot afford a PC or an internet connection. Nor can they get to your office in the middle of the day. Your traget audience, older people have the time to go to Freshwater library any day they choose. Public money is wasted when the best you can offer once you have it is two hours in the middle of the day twice a week.
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I personally applaude Totland. Shobba what exactly do you know about Town and Parish Councils? Four hours is better than no hours and during school holidays etc I am sure Carol and her team will welcome children. We have a computer for the public in my parish, like Carol we are open four hours a day and anyone can use the facility. What is being forgotten here is Towns and Parishes have limited resources, do you subscribe to a hike in our precepts to open offices all day every day. Our residents wouldn’t.
Let’s not forget this service can only be provided where there have been forward thinking parishes with their own offices. Don’t knock what we are trying to do, this seems to me a case of someone who doesn’t understand contraints that we work under.
We have lost the support of IWC – Andy Sutton was a great advocate of towns and parishes and working with us, shame it hasn’t carried on. You have some really good town and parishes on the Island so stop knocking what they are trying to do. BTW does Ventnor COuncil have anything like this – I should start asking questions. lol
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You make a lot of assumptions about people on low incomes, pupils and students. I believe you have no idea how the other half live. Sadly I know exactly how parish and town councils operate; Object to any local planning application or change. Stay on the council for years on end ( often til death) Cling desperately to any high office (Esp Chairmen) Constantly complain about the young. Make sure you claim credit for anything good that happens in the parish. Regularly blast the County Council. Appear in local media as often as possible. Fight over the local council seat every local election (when you can at last reveal your true political affiliations)
On a serious point. Why can’t people wander in and use these PC’s whenever the office is open? After all, WE taxpayers have bought them. It’s you who are restricting our ability to use our own equipment.
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I make no assumptions on people on low incomes, pupils and students, I actually work with them. It is you that make assumptions about towns and parishes. Most town and parish councillors these days are professional people, highly trained and who care about their communities. Like you I am a taxpayer but I am sensible enough to know that you can’t please people all of the time. I know if our parish office is manned then people are able to use the equipment we have and I am sure Totland is the same. I know that towns and parishes across the Island value their young people and do work with them if the young people will allow us to. This is more than the Island Youth service is doing at the moment.
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Totland Parish Council – please treat Shobba’s comments with the contempt they deserve.
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I disagree, he’s right. Two hours a day twice a week does seem a little pathetic. It is after all public money. Why can’t they allow access at other times when the office is open?
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It seems these local councillors think they’re doing a great job. It’s also clear they don’t like critics!
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I agree with Shobba – what a complete waste of money. £2000 to spend on computer access which is unnecessary. There are many computers which have access for internet and printing at Freshwater library. Or at West Wight Nursery in Totland you can use their computers in the training suite during office hours. There is no lack of access to computers during daylight hours in the west wight. There is more of a problem in gaining access after 5pm – when schoolchildren and working parents on low incomes have the most demand.
Why should people be applauded for wasting money?
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