Telford & Wrekin Council Watch

 

 

Dear Councillor Andrew Eade,

 

It is almost 12 months since the change of administration and I for one am wondering if anything has really changed.

 

The lottery bid for the Town Park was stopped and is going to be re-instated with large parts of it still being up for grabs at some point, in essence, other than giving the arena a temporary reprieve, the situation remains “as was”. The handling of this was such a debacle residents had to apply for the minutes of a meeting they attended under the Freedom of Information as reasonable requests for them were ignored.

 

The “City Region” was such a bad Labour idea it had the Conservative Group shouting what a bad idea it was, how Birmingham would be the only beneficiaries, there had been no public consultation, yet despite this and the fact that Birmingham City Council admitted in writing that they would receive more than anyone else, you still spent at least £100,000 joining.

 

Weekly bin collections was an issue that was placed in some Conservative leaflets and the public asked for a return, yet this remains unchanged.

 

Whilst some believe you inherited a poison chalice with the previous administrations use of balances, we were soon landed with a considerable hike in council tax.

 

Bulk Waste charges have been introduced, yet I cannot find anyone who can explain how this is going to operate. We are lead to believe that certain groups of residents will be exempt from this fee, but who exactly are exempt and how do they prove their entitlement to the exemption, how will people be billed and what payment options do they have, when do they have to pay. You were emailed the results of our poll, but no response has been received.    

 

The Housing waiting list has almost doubled, Social housing continues to be sold off, homelessness has increased and I cannot see any evidence of the Council having paid for a house to be repaired, rather than see it sold, I’m sure you remember this being said at the senior citizens forum prior to the elections 07, but at the forum you asked if they trusted you and seemed quite surprised when only three out of two hundred said yes.

 

However, I do see evidence of £5000 having been removed from budget that pays for the storage of furniture to those who do become homeless.

 

 

The recent budget was being hailed as the “dog danglies” until you look at the small print,

 

SCHEDULE OF SAVINGS PROPOSALS

A number of them do impact in a negative way on Customer Service, Front line Services and ultimately the most vulnerable in our communities.


£5000 has been cut from furniture storage for those who become homeless.

You May recall that a Senior Citizen was made homeless prior to the May elections and had to pay £320 per month for furniture storage and at a time when housing is low, demand is high and homelessness is increasing.


Bulk Waste Charges are to be introduced

This will could see a large rise in fly tipping


£10,000 will be removed from the support to vital community support such as the CVS, CAB etc


This will impact on the voluntary Sector in a negative way which in turn can only adversely effect those who benefit from the voluntary sector



Meals On wheels cost increased

A 20p increase on a meal for Senior Citizens. For some this could represent a 60p per day increase



Low Level Preventative Home Service

The subsidy has been reduced and the hourly rate increased from £3.55 to £6 per hour


Increase Incomes at the Theatre

Will reduce opportunity for subsidised events

Reduced Library Book Fund

Reduced opportunity to meet customer needs.



Other negative impact include

Street Lighting Inspections reduced
Remove Maxi taxi Service
Supporting People Purchasing Budget


There a number of other proposed savings throughout the budget and we will be receiving less customer service, impact on front line services which all means a negative impact on the “Customer” – Service user.

I for one do not remember these issues being mentioned to the public in consultation and would suggest that if front line services are at risk, Customer services levels are being negatively impacted yet we are expected to pay more and more, it is increasingly important that we as residents have an increased say and greater involvement.

Now is the time for a residents panel that is allowed to speak and not be steered by leading questions through the “Community Panel”

 

And then Domestic help for the elderly and disabled is increased by 70%

 

 

 

It is a shame that the vulnerable within Telford and Wrekin are getting hammered with increased living costs and in essence, end up becoming more vulnerable, but what can they do about it?

 

Well they cannot get Councillors when they are in Spain, don’t return calls and cannot.

 

They might have a direct line to Councillors if

 

 “Residents were Given the voice at Full Council you promised”,

 

but this is clearly not going to happen is it Andrew, but instead we have to listen to the likes of Cllr John Dixon insulting residents at full council.

 

You promised it Andrew, its not happened, are you worried or was it just another empty promise?

 

 Other than the change in Party Name, what's the difference?

 

 

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

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Telford Council Watch