Council refuses to stand up for people (From Swindon Advertiser)

Council refuses to stand up for people

5:07pm Tuesday 21st February 2012 in Letters

There were lots of good things in Barrie Hudson’s column on February 8, about how to revive the dying High Streets of England, but I am suspicious of the latest government guru’s attempt to help.

I believe that like her, this Conservative council’s parking policy is making deliberate attempts to emasculate local councils by stealth. It will be impossible for this council to charge proper fees for parking, as the percentage increase to be economical will be massive and cause public outcry. Small steady increases are always best.

There were times when the car parks contributed to local taxes. However, over the last two years, the council have given away about £1m.

What they and the government are ignoring, are the dynamics of shopping. Unless the security of online shopping is breached, then it will continue to be a big growth area and we may well see many big stores downsizing to no more than click and collect outlets.

The other big change sweeping over shops is the fact that we are currently experiencing the biggest decrease in living standards, probably ever. While this has been exasperated by events beyond our shores, most of it is state sponsored. Notwithstanding the increases in food and fuel prices, the state is actually throwing thousands out of work and cutting the means for people to get by.

The latest bit of quantitative easing (printing money) means that there is very little income from investments, which many older people rely on.

The Conservative government and Conservative local council appear to be in cahoots over local government: the national lot want to centralise power and those locally appear to toe the line.

Last year I objected to my income tax being used to pay for my council tax. Now we have the same thing happening. Both last year and this year, the money from central government to pay for local services, was and is inadequate, hence local taxation. However, we are denied this opportunity to properly pay for decent local services by this Council Tax freeze which it isn’t, it’s a cut.

Like the car parking, it will be impossible for a return to decent levels of services as the percentage increase will be too large. Perhaps the ‘bigger picture’ is to get rid of local councils?

Given the loss of money from the car parks (£1m), the ballot of tenants (£640,000) and donation to Railtrack (750,000) I am not sure that I can afford this council.

My volunteering brings me into contact with young people who need the support of trained social workers, their families and the communities they live in, if their potential isn’t to be wasted.

All I see is this Conservative council putting cash before people by slashing services, wasting money and refusing to stand up to this government and it’s attack on living standards for us all.

Bob Pixton Sedgebrook Swindon

Rewriting Hitler

The letter by G. Humphries in the Adver recently was breathtaking. What was its purpose?

Does G Humphries believe Hitler was an example that should be followed today? Do we really need to remind him of the millions of deaths resulting from Nazism? Even leaving that wider experience of sickening violence aside Humphries’ claim that the German economy was turned round needs to be looked at. Humphries refers to today’s austerity measures which, we are told, are about cutting deficits. Throughout the 1930s, after Hitler came to power, the German deficit spiralled out of control. This was of no concern to the Nazis as they intended to deal with it by militarily conquering control of the world economy.

During this time German people, i.e. not the ones of Humphries’ imaginings, were experiencing foods of all types becoming increasingly scarce and rationed. Consumer goods were being produced at the same level as 1913.

There was of course little dissent as this would be a ticket to jail. Wages were cut, working hours were increased, unemployment figures were fiddled, women were squeezed out of jobs, villages and agricultural land were destroyed to make way for armed camps. And this is to leave aside far greater horrors.

Humphries says people were employed building motorways but forgets to mention that almost no Germans could drive on them. Only 1.6 per cent had cars, in comparison with France 4.9 per cent, Britain 4.5 per cent, Ireland 1.8 per cent and the USA 20.5 per cent.

The history of Nazi Germany is too terrible, too fresh and too relevant today to rewrite glibly as Humphries has done.

Peter Smith Woodside Avenue Swindon

Stop hunt return

If ever there was a case of everyone taking the time to understand the threat that our wildlife is under, from the pressures that are building up to overturn the Hunting Act of 2004.

The main political pressure group of the pro-blood sports fanatics is the Countryside Alliance, now headed by Old Etonian and former head of the UK Field Army, Lieutenant General Sir Barney White-Spunner and, like former military editors of the Baily’s Hunting Directory, they seem to have found time to edit this ‘Hunting Bible’ while serving in the conflict zones of Afghanistan or Iraq.

Barney White-Spunner is a writer and countryman and a long term supporter of all country pursuits and has been President of the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles.

The greatest threat to our wildlife is the possible bill that will allow some sort of new self-regulating body in an attempt to make repeal the ban on hunting with dogs acceptable and necessary to the general public. These secret plans to reintroduce hunting foxes, stags, hares and minks have been drawn up, with the backing of many Conservative MPs.

Details of the controversial scheme include the creation of a Hunt Regulatory Authority (HRA) to monitor the behaviour of hunts. The plans were drawn up by lawyers and the Countryside Alliance, but aren’t these the people who hunt?

This HRA has the blessing of many high profile Tories including the Prime Minster, himself a hunter, William Hague and Edward Garnier, the current Attorney General.

Well, what a novel idea especially following the banking crisis where the hunters regulate themselves.

It will be a case of lock up your pets as the hunts roam free, and the contract could not be greater as every law and regulation is doctored to allow the hunts total freedom.

Graham Forsyth Fairway Rise Chard Somerset

Royal reality

Like my esteemed colleague with the pen, Des Morgan, I feel I must reply to a couple of points made on January 31 that I believe he did not fully comprehend. Regarding the honours system, OBE, MBE etc., I did not suggest they should cease to exist, but the replacement would remove ‘British Empire’. It just does not fit in with the 21st century – member of British People does!

If we were born at a certain time in history, it is obvious that yours truly would be Cromwellian and your good self, Mr Morgan, a true Royalist.

As for limos, jets etc for other such like Republics, I agree entirely, but I don’t exactly see the point in this reference but, our own Monarchy does not exactly travel in so much a different style, especially some family members, at the public’s expenses. I believe a new yacht is in the offing?

You keep referring to the ‘Best in British’ because of a Cleopatra- style event on the Thames for the Jubilee. It will be a lovely pomp and circumstance spectacle, children will be enjoying parties, and the very elderly will be put in front of the television in countless homes.

The bill for security will be astronomical, TV viewings will rocket.

Twenty fours later, reality will descend then it will go down in history, like it has for thousands of years when they were first created.

I sincerely hope Mr Morgan, you will enjoy the day as I am sure you will, whereupon for myself, if I had their wealth I would fly away to some remote island for a couple of weeks and return when it’s all over.

But, alas, I will just stay indoors, telly switched off and carry on reading a book I’ve just purchased, An Epic History of The Tower of London, by Nigel Jones. I recommend you read it Mr Morgan. It’s on eye opener about a certain family line!

H G Smith Wroughton Swindon

Spring into action

As we watch the winter come to a close, with the harsh month of February leaving us of a reminder of how she bides her time, let us all rejoice in the forthcoming joys of spring soon approaching. The crocuses and daffodils spring to our attention in all their splendour, nature in all her beauty, not forgetting her harshness.

Gardeners spring to life and, by their, efforts their gardens – the oasis of many a retired person who cannot bear the desert of inactivity. Dog walkers abound, children play in the parks in the innocence of youth before they approach the harsh realities of adulthood.

May we all thank God, no matter how our many different religions address him, that in a world that is in turmoil, we, in the small provincial town of Swindon, have so far escaped that holocaust.

Bill Williams Merlin Way Swindon

Who will pay?

It is all very well Swindon Borough Council winning a court case to reclaim £300,000 or so over the dilapidated Mechanics’ Institute (Adver, February 15).

When will far more than that sum be returned to public coffers from the debacle that is the local wi-fi disaster and when will any councillors and council officers responsible for that huge waste of the public’s money be disciplined?

Geraint Day Southampton Street Swindon

Help the horses

We are writing to your readers regarding the often cruel practice of the tethering of horses, ponies and donkeys.

Very often, these animals are seen tethered on the side of a road or in fields, often without water during the hot sunny days and without food or shelter during rain, snow or severe cold weather. Most of the calls that we receive are from members of the public concerned about tethered horses.

With the support of various animal sanctuaries across the country, we are petitioning the government to ban this abhorrent practice. We have compiled a report showing the terrible suffering these animals endure.

For anyone wanting to get involved in helping to stop the tethering of horses, they can contact us at the following: Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary Little Farm Buttsbury Road Buttsbury Nr Ingatestone Essex CM4 9NZ Tel: 01277 356191 Email: remusoffice@aol.com www.remussanctuary.co.uk