Telford & Wrekin Council Watch - People know the Difference between Talk and Results

People know the Difference between Talk and Results

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Written by John Franklyn

Friday, 11 July 2008

People know the Difference between Talk and Results

Politics is not just a national issue, it is very much a local issue that many people forget about. It is unfortunate that many local people often vote for Councillors in local elections, based on the performance of the party who is in Government at the time rather than looking at what each individual candidate is offering.

The latest article covered by the Telford Journal was

“Councils Triumph at in Cost Cutting”

Its good to see how they brag about this, but is it really “Cost Cutting” or have the Conservative Administration just introduced higher local stealth taxes.

Council Chiefs are saying they will stand up to the Government about the proposed level of house build for Telford, they reluctantly agreed, but the agreed, why didn’t they have the courage of their convictions and say NO in the first place?

If Council Chiefs are not happy with the proposed level of house build, just what is the deal they have struck with Morgan Sindall as reported in Building.co.uk

Morgan Sindall finished in sixth spot with wins that included a £22.3m housing deal with Telford and Wrekin council.

And more importantly, just where will these houses go. Telford is expanding, really it isn’t, the vast majority of open spaces within Telford are highlighted for sale or have been sold in recent auctions with other swathes of land not being open to public use because of English Partnerships signage, which in truth might as well say “For Sale to the highest bidder as long as they want to build houses”

Social Housing is in short supply but with ever increasing demand and the demand will only continue to increase, yet 525 houses from the social housing stock are to be sold. If MP David Wright is to be believed, which he isn’t, one house sold can finance the build of FOUR to replace them, so that means, these 525 houses being sold will be replaced by 2100 units, there is not a cat in hells chance of this ever happening, most certainly not for Social Housing.

Affordable Housing is still the buzz phrase, but when you look at it, these houses are anything but affordable, often purchased by investors who get or got 125% mortgages 10 at a time, this lending ethos is part of the equation that has lead or is leading the UK through a credit crunch and into a recession.

The Country is in a financial mess and the poorest, the most vulnerable and the young people within our communities will suffer, they are the ones being hit the hardest.

Whilst Council Chiefs brag about cost cutting, who are the ones ultimately suffering, those listed above,

Young People

No after school clubs

Very few Youth centre’s that are actually open at the times when they are needed most.

Schools identified for closure or are listed as being identified as for sale.

No continued support for young people who have mental health needs or other special needs.

Open Spaces disappearing

Young carers support is not anywhere near sufficient.

Child Poverty only reduced by figures being strategically altered.

Yet at the last full Council only Cllr Liz Claire had the courage and passion to speak on their behalf.

But to some, these do not fall into the equation of why we have youths wandering the streets.

Senior Citizens and Disabled People

Meals on wheels increased in price

Care in the home and at centre’s cost increased

Living in Fuel Poverty

Cost of living increasing beyond pension increase.

Reduced and unequal access to Social Housing.

Given promises at Pensioners Forums that are never or at best very rarely kept.

And whilst this is happening

Small Businesses

Have to fight to keep or get adequate premises to operate from

Get charged £50 + vat to subscribe to the local quango web services

Get very little support for training and development

Get disrespect from Council Officials

With these being only some issues.

Whilst the council has advertised its delight at cost cutting, it forgets to say there is a substantial increase in high wage earners within the council.

The salary bands between

£50,000 and £160,000 have increased in the year 2007 – 2008 increased by

23 on the year before.

This means the salaries within Telford and Wrekin council have increased by

£1,000,000 +

This is without including pension contributions and has lead to top heavy Council.

I have been told to stop my calls for an open and honest Council,

I will, when the leader delivers the open and honest council he promised and constantly refers to when he is at full council.

I will, when the Leader admits that mistakes have been made like he promised.

I will, when residents are allowed to speak at Full Council and at planning like he promised.

Until then, I will keep my calls open, loud and alive.

When it comes to becoming a political party and having taken into account feed back from people I very much respect, Telford Council Watch will remain

“Truly Independent”

It will not become a political party, but remain a pressure group but more importantly, it will remain true to its reasons for starting, will continue to provide a voice for those who need it and will continue to tackle multi issues, not loosing its identity among the clap trap that politics strips away.

People know the Difference between Talk and Results

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