It is unfortunate, that I have to be somewhat blunt with every member, visitor to TCW.

The past two years has seen considerable time, effort and expense put into Telford Council Watch and some Councillors are saying that this site has brought a new perspective to politics locally, some other people have suggested the impact has had a positive impact on a wider scale (But this could be people being charming) .

Sometimes issues have been quite funny with a number of web sites still talking about Telford first and Alison Wedgwoods view of the Wrekin (or lack of it)

Just reviewing three sets of statistics, the last two years has seen TCW

Assist in 30 separate Homeless cases from the ages of 16 years through to the eldest being 70 years successfully concluded.

Assist in 5 separate disability housing issues all through to a successful conclusion, actioned completely in the clients favour on appeal and within 6 weeks.

We then of course have the raising awareness of Sutton Hill

And despite what some think, the Housing Summit

Then there are the issues of the EP A442, Ketley Brook, Asset Sales, the sale of the Land now being built on at the TMC etc etc.

Unfortunately, the site is now attracting so many visitors that our provider has no alternative but to increase the current reduced charges, to either

£30 per month

Or if TCW was to have its own stand alone server £60 per month.

Unfortunately, I cannot afford to pay this increase along with the other costs associated with operating TCW, and I’ve cut back because of increased costs and had to do more by phone rather the house visits I used to conduct, Parish Council meetings I used to attend etc.

I would also wish to add, that I have been the but of various attacks in posts from members, users call it what you will and as many will know received various telephone advice telling me to leave certain topics alone and actually had someone send the boys round.

Firstly, I would say, that I have helped Parish Councillors, Borough Councillors and an MP, not only on a professional service, but also on personal issues that have been kept between me and them, maybe its now time they returned the favour.
Unfortunately, should this additional cost be introduced by our provider, I can either try to find someone cheaper, but even that will incur costs of moving the site etc, close down completely.

Alternatively, someone else can take on the site in its entirety.

I am sorry it has come to this, but as I have said on many many occasions, one person can only do so much.

So now I pass it over to you.

Thank you and I do appreciate the support that has been offered over those difficult times as well as the happier times.

Now, hopefully people will understand why I was saying the TCW Hamper Appeal could be my Swan Song.

As I am now supporting my wife after an operation today and further operations on Friday, I am going to take a few days off.

Again, Sorry.

Anyone pledge £5 a month?

It's time people put there money were there mouth is, I would be happy to put money in the pot.

I would like to inform you all that today I received a "donation" from certain parties who wish to remain anonymous - and I have given them that right to remain anonymous - to allow John to keep the site open for a further three months.

On speaking with someone else, it would take £165 to keep the site open for 1 year, so having three months breathing space is a good start (All in all it would take around £255 to keep the site per year).

This doesnt mean that the site it out of hot water, just that someone has given enough to keep the site open until it can be taken further out of hot water, its now upto the readers to actually come up with something to get the site kept open.

Any and all suggestions are welcome .... anyone want an @telfordcouncilwatch.org.uk email address

I would happily pay £5 a month to keep it going.

Maybe we can get a system set up for standing orders?

Kath,

Potentially a system could be setup for recurring paypal subscriptions, I can setup a dedicated Paypal address for TCW and then anything that is "over" the amount for the monthly fees can be given to John.

Cheers

Hi John,
if you pay through paypall dont they take up to 10% of the donation ?.
I am more than happy to donate to this site but object to a company like paypall makeing money out of us.
Would it not be better to post a cheque to John Franklyn which he could pay in to a bank this would give TCW with more money.

Almost, John - how about any extra left over after the monthly fee is paid goes toward the next month's fee? And a report every now and then about how the fund is doing, is more needed, is it in credit etc.?

Kath,

Yeah that sounds quite workable, I should be able to knock up something that can be viewed easily.

Cheers