Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Scrooge like Tory councillors in Wandsworth are charging kids aged between 5 to 16 £2.50 to use the swing and roudabouts in a public park.
They claim its due to cuts but meanwhile the chief executive Paul Martin is on £189,000 a year - higher than the PM's salary of £142,000 and seven officials on the council earned more than £180,000 in pay and perks
It really beggars belief.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
MAREK;
You are just catching up with what i have been saying for some time.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
This shows that Labour councils do not have a monopoly on stupidity.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
your agreeing then peter well done boyo
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Yes Keith, every council of every colour does stupid things like this. Some years ago Wycombe council banned Christmas so as not to offend the Muslims. Huge outcry led by- the Muslims. Council backed down instantly and I predict that Wandsworth will do the same. Usually these things are bright ideas from the officers, who 'advise' (i.e. lead by the nose) their councillors.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
To charge children for facilities that are already bought and paid for is one of their strangest moves yet. It would never work anyway the children will always find a way round such a daft scheme, even if it means making a hole in any fencing that is put up.
As Peter says "Labour councils do not have a monopoly on stupidity."
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
The other point I was trying to make is the large salaries their executives are being paid.
Surely there is a case to freeze or reduce their salaries in order to pay for these facilities.
Also if the country wants to fight obesity in youngsters surely its best to encourage not discourage them from exercise and play and keep them off the streets and hopefully out of trouble.
Finally , I'm not too sure of the figures but, Wandsworth have a high proportion of poverty stricken kids (approx 30% but don't quote me) who simply can't afford the £2.50
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Yes Marek, and the poor ones are precisely those who will benefit most from the facilities. This was a stupid, stupid move and a PR own goal. DDC did something similar a few years back with the Elns Vale recreation ground. Again this was a stupid officer initiative which embarrassed the political leadership.
And yet again it highlights my oft-laboured point that it is the council officers who control everything and the councillors (with some exceptions- they know who they are) are merely passengers in the decision-making process.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
Good old Wansdworth; Thatcher's flagship borough. When I lived there the council boasted the lowest council tax in the country (probably still does). Superficially things looked good with a big programme of public works such as new pavements and improved street lighting and public areas but in the background day centres for the elderly and vulnerable were closed to help fund these. Council blocks were closed 'because of asbestos' and the tenants moved out only for the blocks to be renovated, surrounded by fences and electronic gates and then sold off to aspiring yuppies. The refuse companies seemed to change weekly as unrealistically low tenders were taken up only for the contractors to abandon them once they appreciated how it would affect their profits.
The council's logo was 'Wandsworth - the brighter borough' but this was altered by a graffiti artist to 'Wandsworth - the blighted borough'.
You get what you pay for and the reality of a low council tax must mean poorer services.
Please don't tell me that privatisation is the way forward
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
if the council really wants to get some additional income there are other ways than striping up the hard up families with children.
how about a fee for each book borrowed from the library, not only will it bring in a steady income but it will stop the people who take a ridiculous amount of books that they cannot possibly read in the allotted time.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
PETER;
This is fantastic that we find a subject which we agree on.
from the beginning, i think marek is correct with these over inflated wages it's time to call it a day, other industries woul not do it, so why local govt?
then to petr's point on cllrs in general, having served in that area for 25 years and come across(worked with) cllrs from all political backgrounds, it's correct to say that you do have a handful of hard working/dedicated cllrs, others are voting fodder, and others not up to the job.
So let's look at this even more closely, i recall barryw highlighting this some time ago but well worth re visitng this issue again;
Local govt has such limited powers that realy theres not to much difference any political party can make to the district.
on cllrs themselves there are a number of differing types'
firstly you have the community cllr, these do a good job in there communities
but happy to see the more political cllrs do there bit in the chamber
but these community cllrs are a worthwhile set of people who generally will pick up on issues, depending on there involvement
secondly you have the chamber cllr, who love the sound of there voice in the council chamber but had little ability in talking to people in there own wards.
it never amazed me that once a person made a point these cllrs got up to speak and sai much the same thing, but had to in there mind say summat.
thirdly(and the ones i like) are those heavily involved in there own communities
and also speaking at council meetings when the need arose there are a few of these.
on the issue peter of cllrs allowing officers to run the council, this has always been the case, and i have highlighted it so many times in my 25 years, but because cllrs are not full time()and im not suggesting they shoul be) then the officers will fill that vacuum. and so would i if i was an officer.
you will only change this if you have full time cllrs there throughout the day., being there just part of the day/week will not see a cllr run council.
so we shouldn't moan realy, it's to be expected.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Actually I think library users should pay a deposit for each book, refundable on return.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
wouldn't save much money though, i would have no objection to paying a small charge for each book.
the selection would be wider because you would not have people taking a carrier bag of books home with them.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
I would love a charge to be introduced we would sell even more of our 50p books that way.
Those taking a lot of books could be getting some of them for other people, we have one lady who brings in two carrier bags full and then goes out with the same number.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
Why can't WE MAKE COUNCIL LEADERS TAKE PAY CUTS.? It is after all our money. ( isn't it? )
And regarding the playgrounds, the next thing they will say is because no one is using them, use it or lose it.
They always win.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
ian
do you mean leaders or chief executives, very different pay scales?
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
All DDC Cllrs have already taken a pay cut Ian on our £3000+ a year has been cut 10% that is the basic and the Big Guns get an extra allowance but that has been reduced as well.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
Sorry guys I meant chief execs, cut theirs and up councillors.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
As libraries have been mentioned on thread its worth noting that critics claim that the Tory-led Coalition is "anti-book", .
The publishing industry bible The Bookseller said library closures, tuition fee increases and arts funding cuts were a "horrible contrast" with Labour's record. It added: "Gordon Brown was the most bibliophile leader since Churchill, while Blair was no slouch with the pen himself.
"Up to a third of the nation's libraries are to shut, at an unprecedented rate. The thrust of this Government is clear and it is anti-book."
Shadow Arts Minister Gloria de Piero said: "Councils of all colours told me the only reason they are reducing library services is because of Government cuts.
"They are a disaster for those not on the internet at home who want to get back into work. And many mums tell me libraries are vital." basically echoing what others have said on this forum.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
as for the playpark charges,i would sugest that people bycot the pay and play parks at weekends or whenever they charge and use the free ones as a matter of course,but if they start charging on all of them then boycot the lot.