View Single Post
  #9  Post / In Thread 
Old 30th January 2013, 02:54 AM
ttp2011 ttp2011 is offline
Banned
 
Full Name: Tom Bowden
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ivybridge, South Devon
Posts: 1,651
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Burning Oil View Post
It’s a sad fact that councils are making bad decisions throughout the land just to add a few quid to the coffers so the same morons can waste it on utterly stupid schemes and over paying themselves!
Please do not tar all Councils with the same brush - not all Councillors are paid.

I am a steam enthusiast, I write for Vintage Spirit and I am currently working on two books, one about engines which I have seen in Devon and Cornwall over the past 40 years and the other about Tritandem Road Rollers.

I am a UNPAID Town Councillor on Ivybridge Town Council ( as are my fellow Councillors) and I am only too aware of the problems being caused to Local Councils by the continuing lack of funding by Central Government. Councils such as ours have two options, either to raise the shortfall by using facilities under their control to generate revenue to pay for essential services or, raise the level of Council Tax to make up for the shortfall. Under these circumstances probably most councils would choose the former route however unpopular it would be. It is unbelievable how much time nowadays is spent at Council meetings trying to decide the best way forward for the community when we are faced with such large funding cuts so that the Taxpayer can pay for Polish Children to come over to the UK for two days to have sibling contact with their 4 year old half brother after their mother has been banned from being with children unsupervised due to her abuse of them. This is costing the Tax Payer £500 for a two day visit. This is being arranged by Social Services for a ex Devon family who now live in Sussex.

I am sorry that the actions of Carlisle Council have resulted in the cancellation of a popular rally and I am sadened to see Charities being deprived of vital income as a result. However, I am not sticking up for the Council concerned as no doubt the situation presented to them made the final decision quite difficult. And yes, we do take all facts into consideration before making a decision and yes we do look at the knock on effect to the local community etc.

Regards,

Councillor Thomas Bowden.
Ivybridge Town Council.
Reply With Quote