Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Budget consultation
It's that time to get conned again!
The Borough Council of South Tyneside has announced it's intention to have a formal consultation over it's budget for 2006-7 with a wonderfully "spun" press release which once again features our great and gloriously smiling
Leader Paul Waggott (pictured) acclaiming profusely the successes of the past year!
Sticking precisely to Blair's message of 1997 "Education, education, education", it seems we have at last succeeded in blazing a trail, Waggott's main message applauds the achievements of our youngsters and our educational services. However, there is little mention of his officers struggle to contain the expenditure within the agreed budgets for this year (nor for that matter, next year). The Borough is still fighting to put right last year's massive overspend, good savings made in the first half of this financial year do not appear to have been matched during the second half, consequently the windfall received from share dividends in Newcastle Airport will only be used to replenish the reserves fund. This is a great shame, because first half financial probity looked reassuring and promised much to repair the damage of the previous year, however, we will now be in a position of pressure to raise revenue to "stand still" once again, despite saving millions of pounds in the first half without affecting services.
Our award winning Council allows us to search for the consultation document here, but once you have found the details, there are no options to view it or complete it, or return it! Very odd way of running an e-service!
So be prepared, there will be no options for the public to propose a "freeze" in Council Tax rates, we will again be offered options of three sizes of Council Tax rises and this exercise will be hailed as a "great success".
How long does Cllr. Waggott expect us to go on buying this nonsense?
How often does he expect us to keep ticking the boxes?
Does Cllr. Waggott expect us to carry on being conned by this consultation?
As a "listening council" I wish they would listen to this:
Try producing a budget that reduces overall spending without affecting services! - (you almost achieved it for the first six months of this year)
Link
South Tyneside Council
_________________________________________________________________
The Borough Council of South Tyneside has announced it's intention to have a formal consultation over it's budget for 2006-7 with a wonderfully "spun" press release which once again features our great and gloriously smiling
Leader Paul Waggott (pictured) acclaiming profusely the successes of the past year! Sticking precisely to Blair's message of 1997 "Education, education, education", it seems we have at last succeeded in blazing a trail, Waggott's main message applauds the achievements of our youngsters and our educational services. However, there is little mention of his officers struggle to contain the expenditure within the agreed budgets for this year (nor for that matter, next year). The Borough is still fighting to put right last year's massive overspend, good savings made in the first half of this financial year do not appear to have been matched during the second half, consequently the windfall received from share dividends in Newcastle Airport will only be used to replenish the reserves fund. This is a great shame, because first half financial probity looked reassuring and promised much to repair the damage of the previous year, however, we will now be in a position of pressure to raise revenue to "stand still" once again, despite saving millions of pounds in the first half without affecting services.
Our award winning Council allows us to search for the consultation document here, but once you have found the details, there are no options to view it or complete it, or return it! Very odd way of running an e-service!
So be prepared, there will be no options for the public to propose a "freeze" in Council Tax rates, we will again be offered options of three sizes of Council Tax rises and this exercise will be hailed as a "great success".
How long does Cllr. Waggott expect us to go on buying this nonsense?
How often does he expect us to keep ticking the boxes?
Does Cllr. Waggott expect us to carry on being conned by this consultation?
As a "listening council" I wish they would listen to this:
Try producing a budget that reduces overall spending without affecting services! - (you almost achieved it for the first six months of this year)
Link
South Tyneside Council
About Me
Curly Born in 1956
Sanddancer
Sunderland fan
Male
Retailer
Former Borough Councillor
View my Profile
Contact
Email Curly
south-shields AT
blueyonder DOT co DOT uk
Got a story?
Got a tip off?
Got some scandal?
Let me know!
07941386870
Search
Search this site
Comments
How do I make a comment on this blog?
Links
Curly's Corner Shop website
Curly's Photoshop
My Message Board
Shields photo gallery
RTG Message Board
Sunderland AFC Blog
Site Feed
Blogroll Me!
Past
December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007