I have a couple of google alerts which send an email when news items are published about Skelmersdale and Ormskirk. My inbox started to overflow this week with reports of last week’s planning meeting and the decision to visit the site of the proposed Skelmersdale digital TV transmitter before granting permission.

Obviously this has to be installed in good time before the digital switchover on the 4th November later this year.

A quick search on the Ofcom site showed that the planning for Skelmersdale was underway in February 2005, four years ago, with the timetable for the digital switchover being confirmed in September that year.

The application for the transmitter in Dalton was received in December 2008 – a delay of well over three years. That stretch of time can’t be explained by investigating the technical issues or alternative sites presented in the report to the Committee.

My experience from being on the planning committee in West Lancs was that it fiercely defended it’s independence, wouldn’t cow-tow to others trying to push it around and always strived to come to the right decision. If they believe they should visit the site, then that’s what they should do. A decision in March would still give over six months for the transmitter to be erected and tested.

The responsibility for getting the transmitter up in good time lies with Ofcom, not with the Council and that’s where any criticism should be directed.