Extea speed camera van
Discussion
Our council has just published details of cost cuts.
In one they clearly state getting another camera van to “ generate £40,000 extra income”. Well that clearly confirms cash generation over safety measures!
Other proposals include cuts in social care. Cutting hours to elderly people, changing “double staffed” attendance to single staff ( there are reasons for double staffing for safety, needs to handle patients etc), reduction in residential care for people with learning disabilities. How do these social care cuts fit into the current NHS bed blocking situation?
Getting rid of the limited number of free car parks. VERY few anyway. Also putting in pay machines will delay the breakeven/ profit time period.
There are other savings in what appear sensible cost reductions. They predict a 7% rise in Council Tax. Rises to 17% if no cuts.
This is a Labour Council in Wales where we have a Labour Assembly Government.
In one they clearly state getting another camera van to “ generate £40,000 extra income”. Well that clearly confirms cash generation over safety measures!
Other proposals include cuts in social care. Cutting hours to elderly people, changing “double staffed” attendance to single staff ( there are reasons for double staffing for safety, needs to handle patients etc), reduction in residential care for people with learning disabilities. How do these social care cuts fit into the current NHS bed blocking situation?
Getting rid of the limited number of free car parks. VERY few anyway. Also putting in pay machines will delay the breakeven/ profit time period.
There are other savings in what appear sensible cost reductions. They predict a 7% rise in Council Tax. Rises to 17% if no cuts.
This is a Labour Council in Wales where we have a Labour Assembly Government.
I don’t think the first point is the news you think it is.
As for the subsequent points on social care etc, what do you expect them to do? If they did raise Council Tax by 17% there would be uproar about it obviously, they can’t spend more than they take so something has to give. Whilst protecting social care would be nice and as you say helps the NHS the issue isn’t at Council level, it’s national level that it needs addressing at. Say they make the total spend cuts, limit the rise to 7% and protect social care, what else goes?
As for the subsequent points on social care etc, what do you expect them to do? If they did raise Council Tax by 17% there would be uproar about it obviously, they can’t spend more than they take so something has to give. Whilst protecting social care would be nice and as you say helps the NHS the issue isn’t at Council level, it’s national level that it needs addressing at. Say they make the total spend cuts, limit the rise to 7% and protect social care, what else goes?
Dingu said:
I don’t think the first point is the news you think it is.
As for the subsequent points on social care etc, what do you expect them to do? If they did raise Council Tax by 17% there would be uproar about it obviously, they can’t spend more than they take so something has to give. Whilst protecting social care would be nice and as you say helps the NHS the issue isn’t at Council level, it’s national level that it needs addressing at. Say they make the total spend cuts, limit the rise to 7% and protect social care, what else goes?
Our town council has just agreed a 10% rise, then theres all the other precepts to add on to that from the other bodies. I dont think 17% will be far offAs for the subsequent points on social care etc, what do you expect them to do? If they did raise Council Tax by 17% there would be uproar about it obviously, they can’t spend more than they take so something has to give. Whilst protecting social care would be nice and as you say helps the NHS the issue isn’t at Council level, it’s national level that it needs addressing at. Say they make the total spend cuts, limit the rise to 7% and protect social care, what else goes?
robdcfc said:
Our town council has just agreed a 10% rise, then theres all the other precepts to add on to that from the other bodies. I dont think 17% will be far off
Assuming you mean the council tax element is going up 10% then the additional elements, assuming the council tax element makes up the majority of the bill, would have to increase by over 24% to give an overall 17%. Or to put it another way, if the additional elements also announce a 10% rise in their parts then overall the rise will be 10%, not more than that.
robdcfc said:
Dingu said:
I don’t think the first point is the news you think it is.
As for the subsequent points on social care etc, what do you expect them to do? If they did raise Council Tax by 17% there would be uproar about it obviously, they can’t spend more than they take so something has to give. Whilst protecting social care would be nice and as you say helps the NHS the issue isn’t at Council level, it’s national level that it needs addressing at. Say they make the total spend cuts, limit the rise to 7% and protect social care, what else goes?
Our town council has just agreed a 10% rise, then theres all the other precepts to add on to that from the other bodies. I dont think 17% will be far offAs for the subsequent points on social care etc, what do you expect them to do? If they did raise Council Tax by 17% there would be uproar about it obviously, they can’t spend more than they take so something has to give. Whilst protecting social care would be nice and as you say helps the NHS the issue isn’t at Council level, it’s national level that it needs addressing at. Say they make the total spend cuts, limit the rise to 7% and protect social care, what else goes?
Having had letters through the door from local councillors and MP I suspect that the proposals are aimed towards central gov giving more money to the Welsh Assembly. I think there is an element of stirring up emotions from the timing of these announcements.
The speed camera is not an issue for me re speeding but I’d like to see the the breakdown of the cost/ benefit. Initial costs of setting up, then manning versus “income” projections over what timescale? £40k per annum but from when? How will the system be run? By the council or from the existing system and money allocated from that? It looks good from a PR aspect.
The social care cuts seem more along political posturing timed to coincide with the current strike action.
Other measures include cutting litter bins, cleaning litter, restrictions on recycling centre opening, park and ride scheme stopping ( it was never a success anyway as badly designed and located!),couple of job rationalising measures. A lot of hand wringing from the council and political comment from the public service unions.
The speed camera is not an issue for me re speeding but I’d like to see the the breakdown of the cost/ benefit. Initial costs of setting up, then manning versus “income” projections over what timescale? £40k per annum but from when? How will the system be run? By the council or from the existing system and money allocated from that? It looks good from a PR aspect.
The social care cuts seem more along political posturing timed to coincide with the current strike action.
Other measures include cutting litter bins, cleaning litter, restrictions on recycling centre opening, park and ride scheme stopping ( it was never a success anyway as badly designed and located!),couple of job rationalising measures. A lot of hand wringing from the council and political comment from the public service unions.
sospan said:
Having had letters through the door from local councillors and MP I suspect that the proposals are aimed towards central gov giving more money to the Welsh Assembly. I think there is an element of stirring up emotions from the timing of these announcements.
The speed camera is not an issue for me re speeding but I’d like to see the the breakdown of the cost/ benefit. Initial costs of setting up, then manning versus “income” projections over what timescale? £40k per annum but from when? How will the system be run? By the council or from the existing system and money allocated from that? It looks good from a PR aspect.
The social care cuts seem more along political posturing timed to coincide with the current strike action.
Other measures include cutting litter bins, cleaning litter, restrictions on recycling centre opening, park and ride scheme stopping ( it was never a success anyway as badly designed and located!),couple of job rationalising measures. A lot of hand wringing from the council and political comment from the public service unions.
You can probably expect them to shut public toilets as well as they have no statutory responsibility to provide them. That will lead to more urinating and defecating in doorways, alleys and parks, but not to worry. Have they stopped cutting the verges? Round here they claim it improves road safety. The speed camera is not an issue for me re speeding but I’d like to see the the breakdown of the cost/ benefit. Initial costs of setting up, then manning versus “income” projections over what timescale? £40k per annum but from when? How will the system be run? By the council or from the existing system and money allocated from that? It looks good from a PR aspect.
The social care cuts seem more along political posturing timed to coincide with the current strike action.
Other measures include cutting litter bins, cleaning litter, restrictions on recycling centre opening, park and ride scheme stopping ( it was never a success anyway as badly designed and located!),couple of job rationalising measures. A lot of hand wringing from the council and political comment from the public service unions.
Those gold plated pensions have to be paid for somehow. Have a look how much of your council tax goes towards that little benefit. That'll cheer you up.
QJumper said:
Whilst I find speed cameras annoying, I don't have a problem with them being used for revenue generation, especially if they help keep local taxes down. At least it's a "tax" which you have some choice over paying.
It's just that the locals need to encourage drivers to speed or obscure the warning signs 
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