Councillors Defend Budgets and Tax rises

 

The Conservative Administration successfully defended their budget proposals after the labour amendment fell.

 

The Labour budget amendment initially seemed sound with published proposal of a 3.9% Council Tax Rise, but the amendment fell on removing monies from the Tory budget, ultimately removing rural areas and business from financial support,

 

It was proposed that,

 

 

 

 

Despite raising some legitimate concerns and raising what sounded like some very valid points, the Labour party did let themselves down. They did not want to take up to much of Officers time and get figures checked, that led to the presentation of what seemed like a half hearted effort, this allowed Adrian Lawrence the time to actually write the budget amendment on the back of a second class stamp.

 

The Labour Party have always had the ability to rally numbers and team work, but it appears that they have resigned themselves to the fact that the numbers are against them and are playing a waiting game until the next local elections.

 

I do still share their concerns about the policy of charging for Bulk Collections at £15. This policy is still flawed and the implementation is going to be difficult. Registered Disabled will not have to pay, but what is the definition of registered disabled or how do you prove who is disabled. For example, my wife is disabled and despite being heavily reliant on a wheel chair, walking aids and multiple drugs, she does not get DLA, does she qualify for free removal?

 

The reliance on the WEE Regs is poor, areas of the WEE Regs are loop holes knitted together and the lack of formal auditing means companies can get around the removal of white goods from a customers house for example.

 

Fly Tipping will increase and we will be watching, reporting and placing photo’s in Telford & Wrekin in pictures and videos in the TCW Video News

 

But not to worry, Cllr John Dixon has the answer to this issue, he said

 

 

This statement is a disgrace and John Dixon should apologise for it, its as insulting as me saying about him,

 

 

 

TAWPA were caught between a rock and a hard place with regards voting for the budgets.

 

They could not vote for an increase in council tax, the charge for bulk waste, increase cost for meals on wheels or the City Region, yet Labour offered NO REAL alternative, so they did the right thing, showed their independence and abstained.

 

Vic Tonks made the suggestion that Councillors allowances are frozen and used to pay for the increase in meals for wheels to benefit those in need of them and all it brings.

 

 

It has been cleared up once and for all, The Arena is safe and will NOT form part of the foundations of the Possible Velodrome and the only possible works is likely to be the improvement of drainage.

 

The lottery application will go ahead in September with the Councils Chances of success being as good as anyone else’s and propped up by monies from the recent bargain basement auction sales.

 

Denis Allen was absolutely right when he said that the Councils under performing quango – Tramping over Telford TT are

 

 

And are a

 

 

The fact that they are on target for creating 200 jobs whilst the likes of Maxell, Clestica and Capgemini (who ironically sit on its board) have recently lost about 1000 jobs between them.

 

TT should be placed into permanent suspended animation and the business conducted in house were we have control.

 

 

 

 

The layout of the room went back to its old layout, but it worked and worked well, plenty of seating and information.

 

Overall, the evening produced some very good debate, again Sean Kelly showcased his public speaking skills, Stephen Burrell coming into his own, liz Clare showing passion.

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3.20 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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